A Comparative Study between Ultrasound Guided Ilioingunial/Iliohypogastric Nerve Block versus Transversus Abdominis Plane Block in Patients Undergoing Unilateral Oblique Inguinal Hernia Repair

Abstract

Abstract Background Combined ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric (IIN/IHN) block and transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block are used under ultrasound (USG) visualization for postoperative pain control in patients undergoing unilateral inguinal hernia repair surgery. Patients and Methods This study compares USG-guided TAP versus IIN/IHN block for post-operative analgesia efficacy in adults undergoing inguinal hernia surgery, among 60 patients randomized into group A received IIN+IHN blocks by using levobupivacaine 0.25% 20 ml and group B received TAP block by using levobupivacaine 0.25% 20 ml after induction of general anesthesia. Results There is highly statistically significant increase mean of ilioinguinal /illiohypogastric block (II/IH) group compared to TAP block group according to time to rescue analgesia (min) (p < 0.001). Conclusions USG-guided IIN/IHN block delays the need for rescue analgesia and reduces the postoperative analgesic requirement compared to USG-guided TAP block.