Total spinal anaesthesia following caudal block with bupivacaine and buprenorphine

This is a case report of an 18-month-old 10 kg child who presented for emergency repair of a recurrent diaphragmatic hernia with a history of craniofacial dystosis and was given a caudal block postoperatively with a combination of 4 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine and 2.5 mu g . kg(-1) buprenorphine made up to a total volume of 10 ml. An inadvertent dural puncture occurred resulting in total spinal block which was managed symptomatically. Block regression started one h later when the respiratory movements became noticeable. Eye opening and hand movements returned 3 h later. The patient's exposure to a large intrathecal dose of buprenorphine did not lead to prolonged respiratory depression. The possibility of a midbrain insult due to a sudden rise in intracranial pressure is also discussed.