Pediatric anesthesia & critical care
The Ability of Infrared Thermography to Detect Successful Caudal Block in Children Undergoing Infra‐Umbilical Surgery
Authors' conclusion
In anesthetized children undergoing infra-umbilical surgeries, infrared thermography can accurately confirm successful caudal block. Ten minutes after the block, an increase in the skin temperature by 1.2°C-1.4°C at the dorsum of the foot and little toe can confirm block success with 95%-96% accuracy.
Study context
- Population
- Children (2–12 years) undergoing infra-umbilical surgery with caudal block after induction of GAanalysed
- Participants
- 143 children
- Exposure
- Δ skin temperature by infrared thermography at dorsum of foot, little toe and suprapubic area for detecting successful caudal block
- Outcome
- Ability of Δ temperature to detect a successful block (AUC)
- Follow-up
- 10 min
Methodological detailsdiagnostic accuracy
- Diagnostic accuracy
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Detection of successful block (AUC)
| Group | AUC | PPV | Cut-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dorsum of the foot | 0.92 [0.86-0.96] | 95%-96% | 1.2°C |
| Little toe | 0.87 [0.81-0.92] | 95%-96% | 1.4°C |
| Suprapubic area | 0.74 [0.66-0.81] |
AUC
Dorsum of the foot0.92 [0.86-0.96]
Little toe0.87 [0.81-0.92]
Suprapubic area0.74 [0.66-0.81]
PPV
Dorsum of the foot95%-96%
Little toe95%-96%
Suprapubic area— not stated in the abstract
Cut-off
Dorsum of the foot1.2°C
Little toe1.4°C
Suprapubic area— not stated in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Block failure
- Failed block
- 29/143 (20%)
Skin temperature over time · 10 and 15 min
- Temperature increased over time in successful block and was significantly higher than in failed block at 10 and 15 min
Original publication
The Ability of Infrared Thermography to Detect Successful Caudal Block in Children Undergoing Infra‐Umbilical Surgery. Paediatr Anaesth. Published 1 December 2025. doi:10.
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