A caudal block is a shot of numbing medicine. A doctor may use it to numb the area for some surgeries below the belly button. It may also be used to help keep your child as pain-free as possible in the first few hours after surgery.

The shot goes into the lower part of your child's back, at the tailbone. The medicine enters into the epidural space near the nerves at the end of the tailbone. The block numbs those nerves so your child won't feel pain. This is done after your child is asleep.

A caudal block is usually combined with sedation or general anesthesia. Those medicines make your child feel relaxed or fall asleep during surgery.