Transversus Abdominis Plane Versus Caudal Block for Pediatrics

Children aged 1-7 years undergoing lower abdominal surgeries would be recruited in this randomized study. Children would be monitored by electrocardiogram, pulse oximeter and non-invasive blood pressure. After preoxygenation for three minutes, anesthesia would be induced with 8% sevoflurane inhalation in 33% oxygen and 66% nitrous oxide; 1ug/kg fentanyl is administered intravenously. Then laryngeal mask is inserted when conditions are satisfactory (jaw relaxed, lash reflex disappeared, no coughing, gagging, swallowing). Anesthesia would be maintained with 2% sevoflurane and nitrous oxide. An increase in blood pressure or heart rate by more than 15% from preoperative value was defined as insufficient analgesia and was treated with fentanyl 0.5 µ/kg. Saline dextrose5% (1:1) solution was infused in a dose of 12 ml/ kg /h. Children were transferred from PACU to day-surgery unit (DSU) if they achieved Modified Aldrete Score of ten. Patients received rectal paracetamol 15 mg/ kg every 6 hours. Tramadol 1mg/kg is rescue analgesic.