POSTOPERATIVE PAIN FOLLOWING OUTPATIENT PEDIATRIC UROLOGIC SURGERY - A COMPARISON OF ANESTHETIC TECHNIQUES

Objectives. To evaluate and compare the efficacy of caudal and local n erve blocks in preventing pain following outpatient pediatric urologic surgery. Methods. Seventy-seven boys undergoing outpatient urologic s urgery were randomized into one of three groups: general anesthesia al one, general anesthesia and caudal nerve block, or general anesthesia and local nerve block. Pain scores, frequency of medication, and total dosage of medication were recorded in the immediate postoperative per iod. Long-term pain and discomfort were measured using a 24-hour and 1 -week questionnaire. Results. The caudal and local groups had lower pa in scores and significantly lower medication requirements than the con trol group in the short-term postoperative period. The caudal group ha d lower pain scores than the local group in all categories; however, t he only significant difference was at 24 hours postoperatively. At 1 w eek postoperatively, the only difference among the three groups was a lower pain score in the caudal group compared with the control group.C onclusions. This study demonstrates that for outpatient pediatric urol ogic procedures, both caudal and local nerve blocks significantly redu ce pain and medication given in the immediate postoperative period and indicates that caudal block may decrease pain for up to 1 week follow ing surgery.