Ultrasound-guided para-umbilical block: a pediatric case

BACKGROUND: Rectus sheath block is a common peripheral nerve block for patients undergoing umbilical hernia repair surgery. However, rectus sheath block alone can affect only anterior branches of intercostal nerves and, therefore, is incomplete for postoperative analgesia for the anterior abdomen, which is innervated by both anterior and lateral branches. We describe a successful perioperative analgesia with ultrasound-guided para-umbilical block after pediatric umbilical hernia surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: A 4-year-old child underwent hernia repair surgery. Following induction of general anesthesia, the anatomy of the umbilical region was observed under ultrasound with a 5–10-MHz linear probe. An ultrasound-guided injection between the rectus abdominis muscle and the posterior lobe of the rectus sheath and an injection into the subcutaneous space around the umbilicus were performed. The peripheral nerve block was effective during surgery, and the patient required no additional rescue analgesia during the perioperative period. There were no complications. CONCLUSION: We performed ultrasound-guided para-umbilical block with four injections. This peripheral nerve block could be an efficient technique for complete perioperative analgesia.