Caudal Anaesthesia and its Impact on Caecal Intubation Rate During Colonoscopy

Abstract

A caudal epidural block is a potential alternative anesthesia strategy for patients scheduled for colonoscopies. The study aims to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of caudal anesthesia and its impact on the cecal intubation rate during ambulatory colonoscopy. A total of 56 participants were selected for the study and divided into two groups; A and B. Observational analyses of both genders were done between 09-04-15 and 08-04-16. The study's participants were aged 30 to 60, with BMI <18.5 to >30. The Ethics Committee approved the study at University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Each participant provided written informed consent following an explanation of the study's goals. At two positions, Lateral decubitus and prone, caudal anesthesia was given, and its effect was assessed using a pain assessment scale. There was no statistically significant difference between groups A and B of colonoscopists. The study's findings show that the mean caudal block onset time was 11.71 4.26 and 13.50 4.85, respectively, with a p-value of 0.15. Group A had 61.5% of first and second attempts at insertion compared to group B's 80%. The mean caecal intubation time was statistically significantly different in both groups (A versus B): 21.213.50 vs. 12.576.69 (p=0.03). The association between the analgesic efficiency of caudal anesthesia and the cecal intubation rate was also significant. Caudal anesthesia is effective and safe during colonoscopy, but its onset time accelerates the cecal intubation time in group A compared to group B. Future studies are required to identify the potential impact of anesthesia on CIR.