This preliminary study describes a new technique to provide analgesia in children undergoing umbilical hernia repair. The para-umbilical block consists of infiltrating the anterior cutaneous branches of the two tenth spinal roots over and under the rectus sheath far from the operative field. Intra and postoperative analgesia as well as operative conditions were assessed in 11 children 16.7 +/- 31 months old, weighing 8421 +/- 6941 g, the block being performed before surgery under light general anaesthesia. Intraoperative analgesia, operative conditions and recovery were good in all patients. Analgesia was adequate one h after surgery in ten patients, six h after surgery in eight. The block proved to be safe and on the whole effective in this short series. The study should proceed on a multi-centre basis if possible. Indications can be extended.