Objectives:This study aimed to compare the analgesic effect of ultrasound-guided TAP block versus wound infiltration in patients undergoing open inguinal hernia repair.
Patients and methods: 60 male patients scheduled for open unilateral inguinal hernia repair under general anaesthesia randomly allocated into two equal groups: Group W received wound infiltration with 0.2 ml/ kg 0.25% levobupivacaine at the site of incision and Group T received ultrasound guidance TAP block with 0.25% levobupivacaine 0.5 ml/ kg. Time to first analgesic request, total morphine requirement over 24 hours, visual analogue pain score at rest and during cough were assessed over the course of 24 hours.
Results:Total morphine requirement in the first twenty-four hours was highly significant less in group T. 21 patients in group W required supplemental morphine compared with 13 patients in group T. Time to 1st analgesic request was highly significant longer in group T.Patients receiving TAP block had significantly lower pain scores at rest for 12 h and on cough for 6 h after operation when compared with patients who received wound infiltration.
Conclusion:TAP block provided reliable and effective analgesia and reducing total 24-hour postoperative morphine