[Pediatric regional anesthesia: rational approaches and practical aspects].

Regional anesthesia in children is to be carried out with due consideration for anatomy, physiology (specifically, neurophysiology), pharmacology of local anesthetics, and detailed knowledge of pediatric protocols of numerous regional blockades. Age-specific differences in the pharmacokinetics of local anesthetics should be borne in mind when choosing safe doses and protocols. The pharmacokinetic factors may involve the risk of toxic reactions to local anesthetics. The protocols of central neuroaxial blockades in children are characterized by certain differences, concerning the indications, anatomic reference points, choice of special equipment, doses, and schemes of administration.