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Abstract anesthetic techniques for children have recently enjoyed a justified resurgence in popularity. Intra operative blockade of the neuraxis, whether by the spinal or epidural route, provides excellent analgesia with minimal physiologic alteration and, with an indwelling catheter, can provide continuous pain relief for many days postoperatively. As a supplement to general anesthesia, local anesthetic blockade of the neuraxis decreases the total amount of the general anesthetic required for surgery, hastens emergence, and allows for a better postoperative experience by providing a pain free emergence from general anesthesia (Davison J.K., 1995). A better knowledge of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of local anesthetic substances in infants and children, the development of regional anesthetic techniques, as well the availability of better equipment specifically designed for children, have all allowed the implementation of regional anesthesia in pediatric surgery. |