Efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair / 中华麻醉学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair.Methods Forty ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients,aged 18-79 yr,with body mass index ＜ 30 kg/m2,scheduled for elective unilateral inguinal hernia repair combined spinal-epidural anesthesia,were randomly divided into 2 groups (n =20 each)control group (group C) and ultrasound-guided TAP block group (group B).The ultrasound-guided TAP block was performed at the end of surgery and 20 ml of 0.375 ％ ropivacaine was injected in group B,while the equal volume of normal saline was given in group C.Tramadol was injected intravenously when VAS score ≥ 4 after surgery.VAS scores at rest and during activity were recorded at 4,6,24 and 48 h after surgery.The warm block plane on the blocked side was measured at 24 and 48 h after surgery.The overall satisfaction on analgesia was scored and the time when the patients passed the flatus was recorded.TAP block-related side effects were recorded.Results Four patients required tramadol in group C,while no patients required rescue analgesic in group B.Compared with group C,VAS scores were significantly decreased,the overall satisfaction scores were increased (P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01),and no significant change was found in the time when the patients passed the flatus in group B (P ＞ 0.05).The rate of warm plane block on the blocked side was 80％ at 24 h after surgery and there was not warm block plane in patients at 48 h after surgery in group B.There was not warm block plane in patients at 24 and 48 h after surgery in group C.TAP block-related side effects were not found in group B.Conclusion The efficacy of ultrasound-guided TAP block for postoperative analgesia is better in patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair and the safety is higher.