Comparison of efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block and ultrasound-guided iliohypogastric/ilioinguinal nerve block for postoperative pain management in pediatric patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair

Abstract

Aim: To compare the efficacy of ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric (IHN/IIN) nerve block to transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in controlling incisional pain after open inguinal hernia repair.

Method and materials: This was a prospective randomized clinical trial of 50 patients who received either IHN/IIN (N=25) or TAP block (N=25) using 0.2% bupivacaine 15 mL under ultrasound (US) guidance based on a random assignment in the post anesthesia care unit after having an open repair of inguinal hernia in pediatric surgery unit in Tabriz . Visual analog Scale (VAS) scores and Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability scale (FLACC) were recorded immediately following, 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours after surgery. Results: pain scores were lower in the IHN/IIN group compared to the TAP block group. The difference in dynamic pain scores was statistically significant (P=0.017). In addition, analgesic satisfaction was significantly greater in the IINB group than the TAP block group (mean score 2.43 vs 1.84, P=0.001). Postoperative opioid requirements did not differ between the two groups.