Laparoscopically guided ilioinguinal nerve block for groin hernia repair

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous ilioinguinal nerve block may reduce postoperative pain after open groin hernia repair but may be complicated by transient femoral nerve palsy in some patients. The technique of laparoscopically guided ilioinguinal nerve block is reported, and its benefits assessed in patients undergoing laparoscopic total extraperitoneal groin hernia repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, patients who had laparoscopically guided ilioinguinal nerve block during groin hernia repair were assessed in the post-anaesthetic recovery room and the day surgery ward. Need for opiate analgesia in the recovery room and the day surgery ward was recorded. Verbal pain scores (on a scale of 0 to 3) on rest and leg movement were noted. RESULTS: Thirty-two consecutive men and one woman, mean age 49 years (range, 29-76 years), had laparoscopic total extraperitoneal repair of groin hernia with ilioinguinal nerve block. Postoperatively, 18% of the patients required opiate analgesia in the recovery room and none in the day surgery ward. Median verbal pain scores at rest and movement were 0 (range, 0-2) and 1 (range, 0-3), respectively. No patient developed transient femoral nerve block. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopically guided ilioinguinal nerve block may be applied safely and with improved postoperative comfort after groin hernia repair.