Ropivacaine in neonates and infants: a population pharmacokinetic evaluation following single caudal block.

Background: The aims of this study were to evaluate pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety of ropivacaine in infants aged 0-12 months following a single caudal injection.

Methods: Term ASA I-III patients, scheduled for surgery, with a body weight of > or = 2500 g received a caudal block with ropivacaine 2 mg x ml(-1), 1.0 ml x kg(-1).