The Effect of Dexamethasone on Rebound Pain in Patients Receiving Ilioinguinal and Iliohypogastric Nerve Block

Overview

Rebound pain is a newly defined phenomenon, observed within the first 24 hours after the operation. Open inguinal hernia repair is a common surgical procedure that can be associated with pain of the either acute or chronic character. A peripheral nerve block of the ilioinguinal (IIN) and iliohypogastric (IHN) nerves is a relatively well-known method for postoperative pain management. However, rebound pain after IIN/IHN block resolution may reduce its overall benefit. The primary aim is to assess whether intravenous dexamethasone reduces postoperative opioid consumption and the incidence of rebound pain in patients undergoing unilateral hernia repair in adults.

Male patients older than 18 years, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II, and scheduled for unilateral primary hernia repair with a Lichtenstein style (open surgery with insertion of mesh) under general anesthesia will be included in the study. The patients will be randomized using a computer-generated randomization technique. After induction of general anesthesia, the patients in the dexamethasone group (Group Dex) will receive 5 mg dexamethasone in a 50 ml syringe containing normal saline. The patients in the saline group (Group S) will receive normal saline in a 50 ml syringe. Ultrasound-guided block of the ilioinguinal (IIN) and iliohypogastric (IHN) nerves will be performed on all patients included in both groups. The primary aim is to assess whether intravenous dexamethasone reduces postoperative opioid consumption and the incidence of rebound pain in patients undergoing unilateral hernia repair in adults.