Bilateral ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block combined with ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block for cesarean delivery anesthesia

The ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block and ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block have been shown to provide pain relief after abdominal surgery. A combination of the 2 blocks may provide acceptable surgical anesthesia for cesarean delivery. We describe 4 women who had contraindications to neuraxial anesthesia, who underwent cesarean delivery with ultrasound-guided bilateral transversus abdominis plane block combined with ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block using 40 mL 0.5% ropivacaine. Breakthrough pain during the delivery of the fetus was treated with small doses of IV ketamine and propofol. We suggest that this technique may be an alternative to local anesthesia for cesarean delivery in clinical practice.