Continuous caudal anaesthesia during inguinal hernia repair in an awake, 1440 g infant

Abstract

SummaryThe physiological immaturity of respiratory musculature and central respiratory control centres leads to an increased risk of apnoea and respiratory complications following general anaesthesia in the neonate. Regional anaesthetic techniques such as caudal epidural anaesthesia may obviate the need for general anaesthesia and lessen the risks of perioperative morbidity. Although these techniques have been used frequently in neonates, we are unaware of previous reports of continuous caudal anaesthesia in infants less than 2000 g. We present our experience with continuous caudal anaesthesia using 3% chloroprocaine in a 1440 g infant during repair of bilateral inguinal hernias.