The efficacy of ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block for postoperative pain after caesarean section

The effect of ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric (II-IH) nerve block on postoperative pain is well documentedwhen performed before Caesarean section (CS) but the efficacy remains unclear when performed after the surgicalprocedure. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of II-IH nerve block on postoperative pain and analgesicconsumption 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 closure,with 10 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine on each side. In group II sham block had been performed. For postoperative analgesiaall patients received tramadol via i.v patient controlled analgesia. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scored tramadolconsumption 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 wassignificantly less than in sham block group at all estimated time intervals (p 0.05). Total tramadol consumption was331 ± 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 consumptionafter CS.