A Comparative Study of Postoperative Analgesia Provided by Ultrasound-Guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Using Two Concentrations of Bupivacaine in Patients Undergoing Inguinal Hernia Repair

BACKGROUND: Pain after open inguinal hernia surgery can be moderate to severe and is known to prolong hospital stay and delay return to normal daily activities. SETTINGS: A randomized controlled trial conducted in the Department of Anesthesiology in a tertiary care hospital. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of postoperative analgesia provided by equal volumes of 0.125% and 0.25% bupivacaine administered in an ultrasound (US)-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in patients undergoing unilateral inguinal hernia repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After obtaining Institutional Ethics Committee approval and informed consent, sixty patients posted for inguinal hernia repair were recruited. Randomization was done using a sealed envelope technique. Patients were divided into two groups; Group 0.125 received 20 ml of 0.125% bupivacaine and Group 0.25 received 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine through US-guided TAP block at the end of surgery. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores and duration of analgesia were recorded. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the VAS scores among both groups. The duration of analgesia provided by 0.25% bupivacaine was significantly longer than that provided by 0.125% (Group 0.125 - 355.67 ± 118.88 min and Group 0.25 - 635.73 ± 195.58 min; P < 0.05). No complications were noted in both groups. CONCLUSION: The duration of analgesia provided by 0.25% bupivacaine was significantly longer than that provided by 0.125% bupivacaine through US-guided TAP block in inguinal hernia repair.