[Ambulatory surgery in pediatrics. The value of caudal anesthesia].

Ambulatory surgery appears to minimize lasting psychological upset in children. Patients must be properly selected. It is essential that the children and their parents should have a visit with an anaesthetist prior to the patient's admission. Laboratory investigations should be prescribed at that time after questioning and examining the patient. Caudal anaesthesia is a useful regional technique for postoperative pain relief in children. Sacral canal puncture is carried out after the induction of general anaesthesia. Only a light state of general anaesthesia is required. The local anaesthetic mixture is made of equal volumes of 1% lidocaine and 0.5% bupivacaine without adrenaline. Rapid awakening, early feeding and pain relief increase reliability and comfort.