Title: A Comparative Evaluation of Peripheral Perfusion Index vs Anal Sphincter Tone to assess the Onset of Caudal Block in Pediatric Lower Abdominal Surgeries

Authors: Dr R. Amutha Rani, Dr R. Janaki, Dr R. Vinodhini

 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v10i3.04

Abstract

Background: In pediatric lower abdominal surgeries, caudal block approach is better and efficient than general anaesthesia and provides excellent post-op pain control. Onset of caudal block is assessed by loss of cremasteric reflex, hemodynamic changes, loss of anal tone and increase in perfusion index. Studies comparing the predictors for onset of caudal block are very limited and not much of studies is about perfusion index.

Aims & Objectives: To compare if the onset of caudal is first demonstrated by rise in PI or by loss of anal sphincter tone and to emphasize the importance of peripheral perfusion index.

Methodology: This is a Prospective Randomized single blinded study in Pediatric surgery Operation Theatre, TVMCH, with a sample size of 100 Children of age <8 years belonging to ASA I or II. Patient premedicated. Monitors connected. Peripheral IV line secured. Pre-procedural vitals noted. Perfusion index in lower limb noted. Caudal block is given in aseptic conditions using 22G hypodermic needle with bupivacaine 0.25% in a volume of 1ml/kg. Throughout the    procedure the child is thoroughly monitored and all vitals are recorded. Earliest increase in PI is noted using masimopulse-oximeter. Followed by this PI is noted at 2 mins, 5 mins, 10 mins and 20 mins (P1,P2,P3,P4 respectively). Using sterile glove and lignocaine jelly, laxity of anal tone (DRESS Score) is recorded at 5 mins, 10 mins and 20 mins (A1, A2, A3 respectively).

Results: Perfusion index is an objective & non-invasive monitor that predicts the caudal onset much earlier than Anal sphincter tone as evidenced by the study.

Keywords: Caudal anaesthesia, perfusion index, anal sphincter tone.

References

  1. Goldman JM, Petterson MT, Kopotic RJ, Barker SJ. Masimo signal extraction pulse oximetry. Journal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing. 2000;16:475-483.
  2. Hales JR, Stephens FR, Fawcett AA, et al. Observations on a new noninvasive monitor of skin blood flow. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology. 1989;16:403-415.
  3. Matsukawa T, Kurz A, Sessler DI, Bjorksten AR, Merrifield B, Cheng C. Propofol linearly reduces the vasoconstriction and shivering thresholds. Anesthesiology. 1995;82:1169-1180.
  4. Hager H, Reddy D, Kurz A. Perfusion index-a valuable tool to assess changes in peripheral perfusion caused by sevoflurane? Anesthesiology. 2003;99: A593.
  5. Hagar H, Church S, Mandadi G, Pulley D, Kurz A. The perfusion index measured by a pulse oximeter indicates pain stimuli in anesthetized volunteers. Anesthesiology. 2004;101:A514.
  6. Kakazu CZ, Chen BJ, Kwan WF. Masimo set technology using perfusion index is a sensitive indicator for epidural onset. Anesthesiology. 2005;103:A576.
  7. Uemura A, Yagihara M, Miyabe M. Pulse oxymeter perfusion index as a predictor for the effect of pediatric epidural block. Anesthesiology. 2006;105:A1354.
  8. Genzel-Boroviczeny O, Strotgen J, Harris AG, Messmer K, Christ F. Orthogonal polarization spectral imaging (OPS): a novel method to measure the microcirculation in term and preterm infants transcutaneously. Pediatric Research. 2002;51:386-391.
  9. De Felice C, Latini G, Vacca P, Kopotic RJ. The pulse oximeter perfusion index as a predictor for high illness severity in neonates. European Journal of Pediatric Medicine. 2002;161:561-562.
  10. Zaramella P, Freato F, Quaresima V, et al. Foot pulse oximeter perfusion index correlates with calf muscle perfusion measured by near-infrared spectroscopy in healthy neonates. Journal of Perinatology. 2005;25:417-422.
  11. Barker SJ. Quoted by: Douglas E. Perfusion index used as a tool to confirm epidural placement. [Unpublished paper]
  12. Orme RM, Berg SJ. The ‘swoosh’ test—an evaluation of a modified ‘whoosh’ test in children. Br J Anaesth 2003;90:62-5.
  13. HM Krishna, R Sehgal, Rakesh Kumar. Heart Rate changes with Test Dose and Total Dose during Caudal Epidural block in Children as a test to predict correct needle placement. J Anaesth Clin Pharmacol 2004;20:283.
  14. Verghese ST, Mostello LA, Patel RI, Kaplan RF, Patel KM. Testing Anal Sphincter Tone Predicts the Effectiveness of Caudal Analgesia in Children. Anesth Analg 2002;94:1161-4.
  15. Schwartz DA, Dunn SM, Connelly NR. Ultrasound and caudal blocks in children. Paediatr Anaesth 2006;16:900-1.
  16. Schwartz D, Raghunathan K. The “Doppler-swoosh” test—a further modification to the “swoosh” test [letter]. Paediatr Anaesth 2007;17:600-1.
  17. Tsui BC, Tarkkila P, Gupta S, Kearney R. Confirmation of caudal needle placement using nerve stimulation. Anaesthesiology 1999;91:374-8.
  18. Chan SY, Tay HB, Thomas E. “Whoosh” test as a teaching aid in caudal block. Anaesth Intensive Care 1993;21:414-5.
  19. Ghai B, Makkar JK, Behra BK, Rao KP. Is a fall in baseline heart rate a reliable predictor of a successful single shot caudal epidural in children? Paediatr Anaesth 2007;17:552-6.
  20. TOBIAS J.D.: Caudal epidural block: A review of test dosing and recognition of systemic injection in children. Anesthesia and Analgesia, 93 (5): 1156-61, 2001.
  21. Comparison of saddle, lumbar epidural and caudal blocks on anal sphincter tone: A prospective, randomized study Yoon-Jung Shon1,  Jin Huh1, Sung-Sik Kang1, Seung-Kil Bae1, Ryeong-Ah Kang2 .

Corresponding Author

Dr Amutha Rani R MD

Prof & HOD, Department of Anaesthesiology, Tirunelveli Medical College