Regional analgesia for postoperative pain in pediatric outpatient surgery.

Of 156 children undergoing elective inguinal herniotomy under general anesthesia, 81 also had a regional nerve block using Bupivacaine. All were treated as outpatients and recovery was assessed by postanesthetic room nurses and by interrogating the parents as to the child's behavior at home. It was concluded that the use of supplemental regional anesthesia reduced the general anesthetic requirements and the need for postoperative analgesics, thereby providing more rapid recovery to normal activity.