THE USE OF CAUDAL EPIDURAL-ANESTHESIA IN CLUBFOOT SURGERY

We reviewed records of 31 children who had surgical release of 41 club feet under general anesthesia with supplemental caudal epidural anesth esia. Compared to an equivalent group of 27 children (39 feet), the ca udal epidural group exhibited a statistically significant decrease in intraoperative narcotic requirement. One child had a bloody tap, and c audal epidural anesthesia was abandoned, but there were no other compl ications. Excellent postoperative pain relief persisted for greater th an or equal to 8 h. Twenty-five of 31 caudal epidural patients were di scharged safely on the same day as surgery without any surgical compli cations. Use of caudal epidural supplementation and outpatient surgery (where indicated) met with a high degree of parent satisfaction. Cost savings of outpatient clubfoot surgery, when compared to overnight st ay, were disappointingly low.