Comparison of caudal epidural block with paravertebral block for renal surgeries in pediatric patients: A prospective randomised, blinded clinical trial

Abstract Study objective This study was undertaken to compare the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided single-shot caudal block with ultrasound-guided single-shot paravertebral block in children undergoing renal surgeries. Design Randomised, interventional, blinded clinical trial. Setting Operating rooms of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. Patients 50 children aged 2–10 years, of ASA status I/II, posted for elective renal surgeries. Interventions The children were randomised into two groups (Group C-caudal block, Group P-paravertebral block). After induction of general anesthesia, single-shot caudal or paravertebral block was performed under ultrasound guidance, with 0.2% ropivacaine with 1:200000 adrenaline. Measurements Time to first rescue analgesia, time to perform blocks, intraoperative and post-operative hemodynamics, post-operative FLACC scores, incidence of complications, parental satisfaction scores were recorded. Main results Children in Group P had significantly longer duration of analgesia ( p p p p Conclusion This study showed superior analgesia and parental satisfaction with single-shot paravertebral block in comparison to single-shot caudal block for renal surgeries in children. However, the block performance in children requires adequate expertise and practice.