The Caudal Space in Children: Ultrasound Evaluation

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Caudal anesthesia is commonly employed in pediatrics to produce postoperative analgesia in low abdominal or urologic surgery. An exact understanding of the anatomy of the sacral area including sacral hiatus and surrounding structures is crucial to the success of caudal block. The aim of this study is to evaluate the anatomy of the caudal space in pediatrics by ultrasound evaluation.

Conditions
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Hydrocele, Inguinal Hernia, Hypospadia, Cryptorchidism, Genitourinary Disease

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: ultrasound evaluation of caudal space


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients aged 0 - 84 months who were scheduled to undergo elective urological surgery. Exclusion Criteria: Patients with any contraindication to caudal epidural block were excluded. coagulopathy allergy to local anesthetics infection at the puncture site

Ages Eligible for Study
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Maximum Age: 7 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Pediatric patients in urologic surgery<br>Pediatric patients undergoing caudal block for urologic surgery were included in this study. | Other: ultrasound evaluation of caudal space<br>* After induction of general anesthesia, the patients were placed in the lateral position. The ultrasound evaluation include transverse and longitudinal view. First, investigators place the transducer at the sacral cornua to obtain a transverse view. In the transverse view, the distance between two cornua and the depth of caudal space at the sacral hiatus were measured. In the longitudinal view, the distance from the skin to the sacrococcygeal membrane and the optimal angles and the safety distance for needle insertion depending on the points of insertions were measured. From the end of dura sac to the sacral hiatus were regarded as safety distance for the needle insertion during caudal block.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ultrasound evaluation of caudal space | First, investigators place the transducer at the sacral cornua to obtain a transverse view. In the transverse view, the distance between two cornua and the depth of caudal space at the sacral hiatus were measured. In the longitudinal view, the distance from the skin to the sacrococcygeal membrane and the optimal angles and the safety distance for needle insertion depending on the points of insertions were measured. From the end of dura sac to the sacral hiatus were regarded as safety distance for the needle insertion during caudal block. | Right after induction of general anesthesia, the patients were placed in the lateral position. The ultrasound evaluation include transverse and longitudinal view. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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caudal space, children, ultrasound evaluation