Adult caudal anesthesia: a reexamination of the technique.

Adult caudal blockade has fallen from favor in the anesthesia community. The majority of anesthesia providers now use lumbar epidurals and spinals for surgeries that can be done with caudals. Many claim the procedure is difficult to perform and the outcome of the block is unpredictable. Caudal anesthesia has distinct advantages over lumbar epidurals and spinals and can be done with confidence by anesthetists who are willing to learn the anatomy, basic skills, and limitations entailed in this lost technique.