Caudal Epidural Vs. TAP Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Pediatric Infraumbilical Surgery: a RCT

Postoperative pain management in pediatric patients is a challenge due to difficulties in pain assessment and concerns about opioid-related adverse effects. While caudal epidural block has traditionally been the standard of care for infraumbilical pediatric surgeries, ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has emerged as a promising alternative with the potential for longer-lasting analgesia and fewer motor block complications.

This randomized controlled trial was conducted at Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Hospital between December 2022 and December 2023. A total of 60 pediatric patients (aged 1-7 years, ASA I-II) undergoing infraumbilical surgery were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either:

• Caudal epidural block (1 mL/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine via the sacral hiatus).
• TAP block (0.3 mL/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine in the fascial plane between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles under ultrasound guidance).

General anesthesia was induced using sevoflurane inhalation, followed by propofol (2-3 mg/kg) and fentanyl (1 µg/kg) for IV induction. A laryngeal mask airway (LMA) was used, and anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane at a MAC of 1.0%.

Outcome Measures:

• Primary Outcome:

• FLACC pain scores at 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively.
• Secondary Outcomes:

• Total postoperative analgesic consumption (including rescue analgesia).
• Hemodynamic parameters (HR, SBP, DBP, SpO₂) recorded at predefined intraoperative time points.
• Incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).
• Parental satisfaction scores collected post-discharge.

Statistical Analysis:

Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0. Sample size was determined using G*Power 3.1.9.2, with an effect size (d) of 0.75, power of 0.80, and Type I error of 0.05. The study followed randomized allocation with blinding of pain assessors.

This study aims to determine whether TAP block provides equivalent or superior analgesia compared to caudal epidural block in pediatric patients undergoing infraumbilical surgeries. Findings will help guide future pediatric regional anesthesia protocols.

Inclusion criteria

• Pediatric patients aged 1 to 7 years.
• ASA Physical Status I-II.
• Undergoing infraumbilical abdominal surgery (e.g., hernia repair, orchiopexy, circumcision).
• Parental written informed consent obtained.

Exclusion criteria

• Contraindications to regional anesthesia, such as:
• Coagulopathy or bleeding disorders.
• Local infection at the injection site.
• Known allergy to local anesthetics.
• Neurological conditions (e.g., degenerative neuropathy, brain tumors, increased intracranial pressure).
• Intellectual disabilities affecting pain assessment.
• Chronic pain conditions or opioid use before surgery.
• Parental refusal to participate in the study.