EVALUATION OF TRANSVERSUS ABDOMINIS PLANE (TAP) BLOCK WITH INJ.BUPIVACAINE 0.25% FOR POST-OPERATIVE ANALGESIA IN INGUINAL HERNIA REPAIR SURGERY

Abstract

Background: TransversusAbdominis Plane(TAP)Block is a regional analgesictechnique. It provides postoperative analgesia after lower abdominal surgery. The purpose of our study was to evaluate effectiveness of TAP block to provide effective postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair surgery. Method: Total 60 patients undergoing inguinal hernia surgery were randomized toundergo TAP block with bupivacaine (n = 30) versus normal saline (n = 30)control group. All patients received a standard spinal anaesthesia with standardmonitoring. A TAP block was performed using 20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine on the side ofsurgery or 20 ml saline at the end of surgery. Each patient was followed uppostoperatively at 0, 30 min, 60 min, 2 hr, 4, 6, 8, 12, 18 and 24 hours in PACU. Rescue analgesics inj. Diclofenacwere offered to any patient whocomplained of pain (VAS Score ≥4). Time of rescueanalgesia, total analgesic consumption and any other complications wereassessed. Result : There was a significantly longer time to the first request for rescue analgesic in bupivacaine group. (507.77 ± 10.38 min) compared to NS group.(110.87±14.2min) Total diclofenacconsumptionwas significantly higher in Group S than Group B (82.75 ± 23.2 mg vs193.97 ± 37.6 mg). Conclusion : TAP block provides better postoperative analgesia in patient undergoing inguinalhernia repair surgery . It prolongs the duration of postoperative analgesia and significantly reduces the total analgesic consumption up to 24 hrs postoperatively