COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF TRANSVERSUS ABDOMINIS PLANE AND PARAVERTEBRAL BLOCK ON POSTOPERATIVE PAIN IN INGUINAL HERNIA SURGERY

Aims: To compare postoperative analgesic efficacies of transversus abdominis block (TAP) and paravertebral block (PVB) in inguinal hernia surgery. Materials and methods: Sixty patients aged between 19 and 76 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists risk scores of I-III scheduled to undergo elective unilateral inguinal hernia repair were included in the study. Randomization was achieved with sealed envelops containing randomization numbers. Before spinal anesthesia, one group (Group T) was administered TAP under the guidance of ultrasound, and the other group (Group P) was administered PVB, with concomitant regional nerve stimulation. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of the patients before and during the operation and within postoperative 24 h were recorded. Results: There were no differences between the two groups with respect to demographic data, ASA scores, pre-, intra-, and postoperative blood pressures, Sp02, heart rates, operative times or complications. Relative to Group T, the VAS scores (at 30 min and at the 3rd, 6th and 12th h) of Group P were lower, the percentages of analgesic users were higher in the former during the first postoperative 12 h (Group T:66%, Group P: 35%). Conclusion: In the current study, PVB block was more effective than TAP block in the management of postoperative pain.