Definition

Noun: * Regional anesthesia of the lower body: A medical procedure involving the injection of a local anesthetic into the caudal canal (the sacral hiatus at the very end of the spinal canal) to block nerve impulses and induce loss of sensation in the lower body, particularly the pelvic region and perineum.

Usage

• Medical Procedure: Used to provide pain relief, especially during childbirth or surgery involving the lower body.
  • The obstetrician administered caudal anaesthesia to manage the patient's pain during labor.
  • For the minor rectal surgery, the surgeon opted for caudal anaesthesia instead of general anesthesia.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The term is often used in a historical or comparative medical context, as the technique has been largely superseded by more modern methods.
  • While studying the evolution of pain management, we reviewed the use of caudal anaesthesia in mid-20th century obstetrics.

Variants and Related Words

• Caudal anesthesia (noun): The American English spelling variant.
• Caudal block (noun): A common synonym in medical terminology.
• Epidural anesthesia (noun): A related but distinct modern technique that has largely replaced caudal anaesthesia for many procedures. It involves injecting anesthetic into the epidural space of the spine.

Synonyms

• Caudal block
• Sacral canal block

Notes on Meaning

• The definition specifies this is a form of regional anesthesia, meaning it numbs a specific large area of the body rather than causing total unconsciousness (general anesthesia).
• The phrase "now largely replaced by epidural anesthesia" is a key part of the modern understanding of this term, indicating its current status as a somewhat historical technique in many clinical settings.

Noun

1. regional anesthesia resulting from injection of an anesthetic into the caudal end of the spinal canal; now largely replaced by epidural anesthesia