Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures worldwide and presents challenges in anesthesia selection and postoperative pain management. Spinal anesthesia is frequently preferred due to its advantages, such as avoiding neuromuscular blockers and endotracheal intubation. Effective postoperative analgesia is essential for improving patient comfort and reducing opioid consumption. The anterior iliac block, a recently described technique, has emerged as a potential alternative to conventional regional anesthesia methods, offering wider nerve coverage and possibly improved analgesia. However, evidence regarding its efficacy and safety remains limited. This study aims to evaluate the effect of the anterior iliac block on postoperative analgesia duration and patient satisfaction in patients undergoing inguinal hernia surgery.
Inguinal hernia operations are among the most frequently performed surgical procedures worldwide each year. Inguinal hernia surgery involves certain challenges, such as the choice of anesthesia and the management of postoperative analgesia. This surgical procedure is most commonly performed under spinal anesthesia due to advantages such as avoiding paralytic agents and endotracheal intubation. Providing effective postoperative analgesia in inguinal hernia surgery is of great importance in terms of increasing patient comfort and reducing opioid use. The anterior iliac block, defined in recent years, has been proposed as an alternative to classical regional anesthesia techniques and has attracted attention due to its coverage of a wider nerve distribution area and its potential to provide more effective analgesia. This new block technique is thought to contribute to pain control, especially in the postoperative period, thereby increasing patient satisfaction. However, studies on the effectiveness and reliability of this method are still limited in the literature, and more scientific data on the subject are needed. The main aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the Anterior Iliac Block, to be applied in patients undergoing inguinal hernia surgery, on the duration of postoperative analgesia and its impact on patient satisfaction during this process.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
80
Patients in this group received an ultrasound-guided anterior iliac block following the completion of surgery under spinal anesthesia. The block was performed under sterile conditions with the patient in the supine position. Using a high-frequency linear ultrasound probe, the anatomical landmarks in the anterior iliac region were identified, and the relevant fascial plane was visualized. A block needle was advanced in-plane under real-time ultrasound guidance, and after negative aspiration, an appropriate volume(20 ml 0.25%) of local anesthetic was injected to ensure adequate spread within the target plane. All procedures were performed by experienced anesthesiologists. Postoperative analgesia was assessed using standardized pain scores, and additional analgesic requirements were recorded. The duration of analgesia and patient satisfaction were evaluated during the postoperative period.
Patients in this group did not receive an anterior iliac block. All patients underwent surgery under spinal anesthesia, and no additional postoperative analgesic intervention was administered routinely. Analgesic medication was provided only if required based on patient-reported pain levels. Pain scores, time to first analgesic requirement, total analgesic consumption, and patient satisfaction were assessed during the postoperative period using the same standardized methods as in the intervention group.
Şanlıurfa Mehmet Akif İnan Training and Research Hospital
Sanliurfa, Turkey (Türkiye)
Duration of Postoperative Analgesia
Time from completion of spinal anasthesia to the first request for rescue analgesia
Time frame: Up to 24 hours postoperative
Postoperative Pain Scores
Pain intensity measured using the Numeric Rating Scale
Time frame: At 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours postoperative
Total Oioid Consumption
Total amount of tramadol consumed within the first 24 hours after surgery
Time frame: First 24 hours postoperative
Patient Satisfaction
Patient-reported satisfaction with pain management using a 5 point Likert scale
Time frame: At 24 hours postoperatively
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