Comparison of caudal and retrolaminar blocks for postoperative analgesia in pediatric orchidopexy: a randomized controlled trial
Minerva Anestesiologica, cilt.92, sa.6, ss.560-568, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 92 Sayı: 6
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.23736/s0375-9393.25.19579-5
- Dergi Adı: Minerva Anestesiologica
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.560-568
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Anesthesia, conduction, Pediatric anesthesia, caudal
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
BACKGROUND: Lower abdominal surgeries in children are associated with significant postoperative pain. While caudal block (CB) is widely used, ultrasound-guided truncal blocks such as retrolaminar block (RLB) may provide more targeted and prolonged analgesia. METHODS: In this double-blind, randomized controlled trial conducted at two tertiary hospitals (March 1-September 1, 2025), children aged 1-7 years (ASA I-II) scheduled for unilateral orchidopexy were randomized to RLB or CB. CB received 0.125% bupivacaine 1 mL/kg (max 20 mL); RLB received 0.25% bupivacaine 0.1 mL/kg, both under standardized general anesthesia with intraoperative IV paracetamol (10 mg/kg). FLACC scores were recorded at 30 min and 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h. Rescue analgesia was IV paracetamol for FLACC 2-4 and IV tramadol for FLACC >4. Primary outcome was analgesic efficacy (FLACC at 12th hour). Secondary outcomes were time to first analgesic and total consumption within 24 h. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were analyzed (N.=31 per group); baseline demographics did not differ. RLB yielded lower FLACC scores at 6 h (P=0.002), 12 h (P=0.007), and 24 h (P=0.018), with no difference at 30 min or 1 h (P>0.05). Time to first analgesic was longer with RLB (P<0.001), and total 24-h consumption was lower (P=0.001). Fewer patients required rescue analgesia with RLB (3/31) than CB (14/31). No major block-related complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: In pediatric orchidopexy, RLB provided superior and more durable analgesia than CB, reduced 24-h analgesic requirements, and delayed first rescue dosing without major complications, supporting its role within opioid-sparing pediatric ERAS pathways.