Koul A, Shukla D, Aggrawal SK, et al. - In recent investigations, doubts have been raised regarding the safety of caudal epidural block (CEB) administered to children with distal hypospadias undergoing tubularized incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty. In this study, researchers examined if CEB is associated with the occurrence of urethrocutaneous fistula (UCF) in the postoperative period.

• Researchers performed random allocation of 50 ASA 1 and 2 children with distal hypospadias aged 0-8 years to CEB group (GA with CEB, 0.2% ropivacaine 1ml/kg; n = 25) and Non-CEB group (GA without CEB; n = 25).

• Only two children had an occurrence of UCF, one from each group on follow up, with an overall incidence of 4%.

• Outcomes revealed no correlation of administration of CEB with UCF formation.

• There appeared an increase in penile volume after CEB block; however, the increase did not correlate with the occurrence of UCF.