Stress response and hemodynamic changes associated with intrathecal anesthesia versus caudal epidural anesthesia in infants undergoing laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy: Prospective randomized control study

Introduction: Intrathecal and caudal blocks regulate hemodynamics, reduce neuroendocrine responses, enhance recovery, improve pain relief, and minimize opioid side effects. Objective: To evaluate the influence of intrathecal anesthesia on infants' stress responses and hemodynamics compared to caudal epidural anesthesia for laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy. Methods: This prospective randomized control study involved 120 patients aged from full term one month to year, both sexes, with laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy, allocated into three groups. Control Group (C): General anesthesia (GA) group, intrathecal Group (I) and caudal block group (E). Results: Groups I and E had significantly reduced sevoflurane consumption intraoperatively than Group C, and Group I had a lower consumption than Group E (p