BACKGROUND: Previously made comparison ultrasound guided TAP block and conventional ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block showed better efficacy of TAP block. The advantage of TAP block versus local infiltration in children also shown. In our study we compared the efficacy of ultrasound guided TAP block versus ultrasound guided ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: 91 ASA class 1 - 3 patients scheduled for inguinal hernia repair were randomized into 3 groups (Group 1 –Ultrasound guided TAP block, Group 2 – Ultrasound guided ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block and Group 3 - control). The blocks were performed using the 6-13 MHz linear probe. The needle was inserted by in-plane technique. Bupivacaine 0.5% with Adrenaline 1:200000 solution was injected as anesthetic agent. Patients of Group 1 and 2 received preoperative blocks respectively. All operations were performed under general anesthesia. The genitofemoral nerve block was performed intraoperative by injection of local anesthetic around inguinal ring by surgeons. Patients of all groups received Morphine by PCA postoperative. Postoperative pain assessment was performed using the VAS score and morphine consumption by PCA in all groups. The one way ANOVA test was used for analysis of nominal data and Kruskal-Wallis test for non-parametric variables.
CONCLUSION: Ultrasound guided TAP block and Ilioinguinal &Iliohypogastric nerve block is equally effectively for postoperative analgesia after inguinal hernia repair.
