Caudal Epidural Analgesia is an alternative but simple form of epidural anaesthesia, and is commonly used. It is effectively a single shot epidural performed at sacral level and is usually performed after general anaesthesia.

Caudal anaesthesia can provide effective analgesia for procedures in the sacral dermatomes, i.e. perineal and pelvic procedures (e.g. circumcision, haemorrhoidectomy, vaginal hysterectomy). The epidural space is accessed at its caudal limit, by inserting a needle through the sacro-coccygeal membrane at the base of the coccyx. Simplicity and safety are major benefits of this technique. Because the subarachnoid space ends far above this level, subarachnoid block is not a risk, nor is post-dural puncture headache in the adult patient. Intravenous injection is a possible complication. Caudal epidurals are popular in the management of children undergoing lower abdominal or perineal surgery.