CONTINUOUS CAUDAL ANALGESIA IN OBSTETRICS

Abstract

Since the original publication by Hingson and Edwards¹in September 1942 a number of papers on continuous caudal analgesia have appeared. Most of these experiences have been reported from metropolitan or large service hospitals well staffed by residents and interns. The cases reported here have been cared for by one person in a general hospital of 200 beds without any resident staff.² The history of the development of caudal analgesia has been thoroughly covered in other publications. Briefly, it combines the original caudal analgesia of Cathelin³(1901) with the continuous or fractional method which Lemmon⁴applied to spinal (subarachnoid) anesthesia in 1939. By utilizing the feature of fractional injections, one is able to reach practically any level in the peridural space. Thus the peridural anesthesia of Dogliotti⁵is achieved with the needle firmly and safely held in the sacrococcygeal ligament. At this date no one