Abstract No.: ABS3564: Comparison of bilateral ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block versus transversus abdominis plane block for postoperative pain relief in parturients undergoing caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The postoperative pain after caesarean section is believed to be of mild to moderate intensity lasting for up to 72hours. This study aims to compare transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block versus ilioinguinal / iliohypogastric (II/IH) block for post-caesarean delivery analgesia. METHODS: The study was conducted in 56 pregnant women aged between 18-35years scheduled for caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. They were randomised to either TAPblock( Inj.bupivacaine plain 0.25%20cc bilateral) or II/IH block(Inj.bupivacaine plain 0.25%20cc bilateral) given for postoperative pain management at the end of surgery.Total tramadol consumption, time to first analgesic request were assessed during the first 48 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: The cumulative median tramadol consumption over 48 h was 16.96+/-32.66mg for TAP group and 56.25+/-57.98mg for II/IH. The median tramadol consumption at 24h was also lower in the TAP group compared to II-IH. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding time to first analgesia request (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both II-IH and TAP block had comparable analgesic efficacy during the first 24h. TAP block had longer analgesic effectiveness compared to II-IH with an effect lasting for 48h.