Journal of Research in Medical Sciences (Jan 2010)
The efficacy of ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block for postoperative pain after caesarean section
Abstract
Background: The effect of ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric (II- IH) nerve block on postoperative pain is well docu-mented when performed before Caesarean section (CS) but the efficacy remains unclear when performed after the sur-gical procedure. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of II- IH nerve block on postoperative pain and analge-sic consumption in patients when performed after CS. Methods: Sixty ASA I- II patients, scheduled for elective CS were included in the study. After general anaesthesia, patients were allocated into 2 groups randomly. In group I bilateral II- IH block has been performed after the skin clo-sure, with 10 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine on each side. In group II sham block had been performed. For postoperative anal-gesia all patients received tramadol via i.v patient controlled analgesia. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scored tramadol consumption and side effects. Results: The mean VAS scores in II- IH block group were significantly lower than in sham block group at 6th, 8th, 12th, 24th hours at rest (p < 0.05) and at 6th, 8th hours with movement (p < 0.05). Tramadol usage in II- IH block group was significantly less than in sham block group at all estimated time intervals (p < 0.05). Total tramadol consumption was 331 ± 82 mg in II- IH block group and 622 ± 107 mg in sham block group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: It was observed that II- IH nerve block when performed after the surgery may reduce analgesic con-sumption after CS.
