Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Electrophysiological Methods to Assess Peripheral Pain Block in an Anesthetized Rat
08:05

Electrophysiological Methods to Assess Peripheral Pain Block in an Anesthetized Rat

Published on: November 21, 2025

A comparison between caudal block versus splash block for postoperative analgesia following inguinal herniorrhaphy in

Jun Kong Cheon1, Cheon Hee Park, Kan Taeck Hwang

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Kwangju Christian Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.

Korean Journal of Anesthesiology
|May 24, 2011
PubMed

Insights

A splash block offers comparable postoperative pain relief to caudal epidural blocks for pediatric inguinal herniorrhaphy. Both methods provide effective pain management with minimal need for additional analgesics.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Anesthesiology
  • Pain Management
  • Surgical Procedures

Background:

  • Evaluating postoperative pain control methods in pediatric surgery is crucial for patient recovery.
  • Inguinal herniorrhaphy is a common surgical procedure in children requiring effective pain management.
  • Preincisional regional anesthesia techniques aim to reduce postoperative pain and opioid requirements.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the analgesic efficacy of preincisional caudal epidural block versus local instillation (splash block) after pediatric inguinal herniorrhaphy.
  • To assess postoperative pain scores and the need for supplemental analgesia in children undergoing herniorrhaphy.

Main Methods:

  • Thirty children aged 1-7 years undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy were randomized into two groups: caudal block (n=15) and splash block (n=15).
  • The caudal block group received 0.25% ropivacaine via caudal epidural injection, while the splash block group received local instillation of the same solution.
  • Pain was assessed using Faces pain scores at multiple time points in the postanesthesia care unit and ward.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in pain scores were observed between the caudal block and splash block groups at 10, 30, and 60 minutes.
  • Slightly lower pain scores were noted in the caudal block group at the final evaluation point.
  • One patient in the caudal block group required supplemental IV tramadol; no other patients required additional analgesia. Intraoperative sevoflurane requirement was lower in the caudal block group. No major complications were reported for either technique.

Conclusions:

  • A splash block provides similar postoperative analgesic effects to a caudal epidural block for children undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy.
  • Local instillation (splash block) is a viable alternative for postoperative pain management in this pediatric surgical population.
  • Both techniques demonstrate good safety profiles with minimal need for supplemental analgesics.
Abstract

Keywords:
Caudal blockInfiltrationInstillationSplash block

More Related Videos

Deep Neuromuscular Blockade Leads to a Larger Intraabdominal Volume During Laparoscopy08:50

Deep Neuromuscular Blockade Leads to a Larger Intraabdominal Volume During Laparoscopy

Published on: June 25, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia01:11

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia

Spinal anesthetics are given during lower abdomen and limb surgeries to block sensory and motor neurons. They are administered in the mid to low lumbar regions, primarily acting on the cauda equina's nerve roots. The blockade level depends on the local anesthetic (LA) concentration. Usually, low LA concentrations are sufficient to block sensory fibers, while only high LA concentrations block motor fibers. Other factors like injection volume and speed, the patient's posture, and the drug...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Intravenous Regional Anesthesia01:16

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Intravenous Regional Anesthesia

Intravenous regional anesthesia or the Bier block technique is used to anesthetize a specific limb or extremity. It uses exsanguinated or blood-drained vessels to transport local anesthetics or LAs to the peripheral nerve trunks. Lidocaine without vasoconstrictors like epinephrine is most commonly used for this technique. Other drugs used are prilocaine, ropivacaine, and chloroprocaine. Bupivacaine is not recommended for this technique due to its high cardiac toxicity.
One of the advantages of...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia01:29

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia

Epidural anesthetics are administered in the fat-filled epidural space, the outermost part of the spinal canal. This technique is commonly employed for pain management and anesthesia during lower abdomen and pelvis surgeries or labor and delivery.
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Surface, Infiltration, and Conduction Block Anesthesia01:30

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Surface, Infiltration, and Conduction Block Anesthesia

Depending on the target organ, local anesthetics (LAs) can be administered via various routes. In surface anesthesia, LAs are applied directly to the surface of the skin or mucous membranes. It is widely used for topical skin numbing before venipuncture or minor surgical procedures. Commonly used surface local anesthetics are lidocaine or benzocaine sprays or creams. Surface anesthesia occurs within 5 minutes and lasts for about 60 minutes. One of the main disadvantages of topical anesthesia is...
Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers01:24

Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers

Local anesthetics (LAs) block the sodium channels of nerve trunks, sensory nerve endings, and neuromuscular junctions. Although LAs can block all kinds of nerves, the sensitivity of nerve fibers differs according to nerve types and structures. LAs are known to block myelinated fibers faster than unmyelinated ones. Also, they block pain or sensory neurons at low concentrations without affecting the motor neurons involved in muscle contractions. This helps relieve labor pain without affecting the...
Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy01:26

Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy

Sigmoidoscopy and laparoscopy are distinct medical procedures that enable physicians to internally inspect different parts of the GI tract. Although they serve different purposes, each is essential for diagnosing and, in some cases, treating various medical conditions.
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...