Neuraxial Anesthesia and Analgesia for Pediatric Surgery
Neuraxial anesthesia has a long history of use in pediatric surgery. It can be used as a sole anesthetic or as an adjunct to sedation or general anesthesia. Neonatal spinals and single-shot caudal anesthesia are effective for lower abdominal, urological, and lower extremity orthopedic surgeries. When a thoracic, lumbar, or caudal epidural catheter is utilized, postoperative analgesia can also be provided to surgeries involving the chest and upper abdomen. There is renewed interest in neuraxial anesthesia due to concerns of the effect of volatile anesthetics on the developing brain. Though research studies on the long-term effects of volatile anesthetics are still inconclusive, neuraxial anesthesia has been shown to provide effective surgical anesthesia and postoperative analgesia. When used in combination with general anesthesia, it has the benefit of reducing the amount of sedatives required. The use of ultrasound may increase success and margin of safety.