Background: Inguinal hernia repair is the most common operation in infants, with well recognized anesthetic and perioperative risks. The aim was to investigate if the combination of caudal block, high-flow nasal oxygen insufflation and intravenous dexmedetomidine sedation is suitable for infants undergoing inguinal hernia surgery.

Methods: A prospective multicenter international study was performed in three centers in Australia and New Zealand. Fifty infants less than 64 weeks post-menstrual age undergoing inguinal hernia surgery were enrolled. Exclusion criteria were any condition that contraindicated the use of the anesthesia technique. The technique included intravenous dexmedetomidine with a loading dose of 1-2 mcg/kg over 10 min and maintenance of 0.2-3 mcg/kg/h, high-flow nasal oxygen insufflation 2 L/kg/min with an oxygen blender, and a caudal block using 1 mL/kg 0.2% ropivacaine. The primary outcome was the successful completion of surgery without conversion to general anesthesia.

Results: Completion of surgery with the technique was successful in 41/50 (82%) infants. Care was provided by 22 anesthesiologists and 11 surgeons. Infants had a low incidence of intraoperative complications, including apnea [1 (2.4%)], bradycardia [2 (4.9%)], hypotension [2 (4.9%)], and desaturation [1 (2.4%)]. Postoperative complications included apnea [3 (7.3%)], bradycardia [3 (7.3%)], hypotension [3 (7.3%)], desaturation [4 (9.8%)]. No infants were intubated in the first 24 h postoperatively.

Conclusions: Caudal block, high-flow nasal oxygen insufflation and intravenous dexmedetomidine sedation is a potential alternative to general anesthesia for infant inguinal hernia surgery with a low rate of complications in this small cohort of infants.