A mathematical model correlating the spread of analgesia to the dose of local anaesthetic and to age or body weight was found analysing the data of 763 caudal blocks in children from age one day to twelve years. Two graphs have been plotted: (1) spread of analgesia, dose, age and (2) spread of analgesia, dose, weight.
Both age and weight can be used as predictors to determine the desired level of analgesia, but weight is more useful in very young patients while age is a better guide in older children.
BromageP.R.Ageing and epidural dose requirements. Br J Anaesth1969; 41: 1016–1022.
2.
Schulte-SteinbergO., RahlfsV.W.Caudal anesthesia in children and spread of 1% Lidocaine: A statistical study. Br J Anaesth1970; 42: 1093–1099.
3.
Schulte-SteinbergO., RahlfsV.W.Spread of extradural analgesia following caudal injection in children: A statistical study. Br J Anaesth1977; 49: 1027–1034.
4.
TakasakiM., DohiS., KawabataY., TakahashiT.Dosage of lidocaine for caudal anesthesia in infants and children. Anesthesiology1977; 47: 527–529.
5.
McGownR.G.Caudal analgesia in children. Anaesthesia1982; 37: 806–818.
6.
SpiegelP.Caudal anesthesia in pediatric surgery. Anesth Analg1962; 41: 218–221.
7.
OwensW.D., SlateE.M., BattitG.E.A new technique for caudal Anaesthesia. Anesthesiology1973; 39: 451–453.
8.
ArmitageE.M.Caudal block in children. Anaesthesia1979; 34: 396.
9.
DraperN., SmithH.Applied regression analysis, second edition. Wiley & Sons, New York, 1981; 141–183.
10.
SpiegelM.R.Statistics.McGraw Hill, New York, 1961; 157, 202.
11.
LairdA.K.Evolution of the human growth curve. Growth1967; 37: 345–355.
12.
WonnacottT.H., WonnacottR.J.Regression.Wiley & Sons, New York, 1981; 84, 88, 94-96.
Schulte-SteinbergO., OstermayerR., RahlfsV.W.Thoracic epidural analgesia. Relationship between dose of etidocaine and spread of analgesia. Regional Anesth1984; 9: 78–82.
15.
TuckerG.T., MatherL.E.Pharmacokinetics of local anaesthetic agents. Br J Anaesth1975; 47: 213–224.