Regional anesthesia in pediatrics.

The use of regional anesthetic techniques in infants and children has become increasingly accepted as standard care. The most commonly performed regional anesthetic techniques used in pediatric patients are the caudal and lumbar approaches to the epidural space, ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric, and penile nerve blockade. These and other techniques are reviewed, along with specific issues such as risks, benefits, drug dosage, and local anesthetic toxicity. The safety of regional anesthetic techniques in pediatric patients is addressed, with recommendations for prevention and treatment of complications.