What is caudal anaesthesia?

Q: My 17 months old son (weight - 10.5 kgs) has been diagnosed with inguinal hernia. The paediatric surgeon has advised surgery. The technique of anaesthesia is that he will be first given sedatives and then caudal anaesthesia for surgery. Kindly advise me whether this technique is ok? Are there any side effects or complications of caudal anaesthesia in a 17 months old child? Do you suggest any specific technique/drugs for anaesthesia?

A:This is the standard technique under which we operate all our hernias. The baby will be given general anaesthesia. Caudal block is a technique in which an injection is given in the tail bone. This helps give pain relief during and after surgery. Please go ahead with the surgery as scheduled. Good luck.