European journal of pediatric surgery : official journal of Austrian Association of Pediatric Surgery ... [et al] = Zeitschrift für Kinderchirurgie
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effects of caudal block on cortisol and prolactin responses to postoperative pain in children.
We have performed a randomized controlled study in 60 children (ASA 1.8 month to 10 yrs) undergoing lower abdominal and genitourinary surgery, to assess the effects of caudal anaesthesia on plasma cortisol and prolactin concentrations during early postoperative period. After induction of anaesthesia by inhalation or intravenously, thirty children received a standardized general anaesthetic (control group) while the remaining children received caudal anaesthetics with 0.25% bupivacaine in addition to a similar general anaesthetic (caudal group). Blood samples for cortisol and prolactin were taken after induction and 1 hour after surgery. ⋯ These results were correlated with pain scores. No serious side effects were recorded. In conclusion, caudal anaesthesia attenuated the postoperative cortisol and prolactin responses to surgery and pain in children.