Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Postoperative analgesic effect of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in patients undergoing abdominal surgery has been controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic effect of ultrasound guided TAP block and wound infiltration in pediatric patients undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy.

METHODS

After ethical board approval, 60 children between 3 and 8 years of age undergoing unilateral inguinal hernia repair were randomised to TAP block (group TAP,n=30) or to wound infiltration (group infiltration, n=30). Group TAPB received ultrasound guided TAP block with 0,25 % bupivacaine 0,5 ml/kg and Group C received wound infiltration with 0,25 % bupivacaine 0,5 ml/kg before surgery. Pain scores (Wong-Baker Faces), parental satisfication, block complications and additional analgesia requirements are recorded.

RESULTS

Compared with infiltration group, the pain scores was statistically lower in the TAPB group during first 12 hours (P < 0.05). The additional analgesia requirement was statistically lower in the TAPB group than Group infiltration (10/30 vs 18/30 respectively, p=0.038). Parental satisfaction was statistically higher in the Group TAPB than Group infiltration (p<0,001).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Despite the postoperative effect of TAP block controversial; ultrasound guided TAP block reduce postoperative pain after pediatric inguinal hernia repair compared to wound infiltration.