Which substances can be added to a caudal epidural to prolong anesthesia?

• A. Fentanyl
• B. Xylazine, morphine, ethyl alcohol
• C. Buprenorphine
• D. Ketamine

Answer: (B)

The correct choice includes xylazine, morphine, and ethyl alcohol, which are known to enhance the duration of anesthesia when added to a caudal epidural.

Morphine is an opioid that provides significant analgesic effects and has a prolonged duration of action when administered epidurally, making it a common choice for prolonging anesthesia. Xylazine is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that can produce sedation and analgesia, and its addition can extend the effects of the anesthetic. Ethyl alcohol is sometimes used in certain contexts to maintain or prolong anesthesia due to its local anesthetic properties.

In contrast, fentanyl is a short-acting opioid that provides rapid analgesic effects but does not have the same duration as morphine when used in a caudal epidural setting. Buprenorphine, while useful for analgesia, also has a shorter duration compared to morphine for this specific application. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that can provide analgesia and sedation, but it does not specifically prolong the effects of local anesthetics in the context of epidural use as effectively as the substances listed in the correct choice. Overall, the combination of xylazine, morphine, and ethyl alcohol specifically