Post-operative Pain Relief for Paediatric Inguinal-Scrotal Surgery
Post-operative Pain Relief for Paediatric Inguinal-Scrotal Surgery
Two methods of pain control in children undergoing surgery on the groin and scrotum are
 caudal injection (a form of epidural) with local anaesthetic, and a regional nerve block (an
 injection of local anaesthetic around the nerves supplying the area). A pilot study at our
 hospital showed a significant decrease in post-operative pain and nausea and vomiting in
 these two methods when compared to intravenous morphine and local anaesthetic to the wound.

 One potential side effect from caudal injections is temporarily decreased motor power in the
 legs due to the local anaesthetic - it is thought that this might be overcome using a more
 dilute solution of local anaesthetic along with clonidine. This study is to demonstrate that
 this method is as effective as the use of a regional nerve block.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Children undergoing day case elective inguinal-scrotal surgery

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Contraindication to technique

 -  Significant comorbidities

 -  Patient/parent refusal