To investigate the clinical results of ultrasound-guided sacral canal block and ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block for pediatric laparoscopic high ligation of hernial sac.

A randomized selection of 80 pediatric patients with inguinal hernia who underwent surgery at the First People's Hospital of Tianmen, Hubei Province, from October 2021 to October 2022 were included in the study (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I-II). The patients were divided into two groups based on the anesthesia method: Group I (caudal block) and Group II (ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block). The heart rate and mean arterial pressure (MAP) of the two groups were monitored at various perioperative time points. Anesthesia efficacy and postoperative adverse reactions were recorded. Pain and agitation scores were assessed at awakening and at 4, 8, and 12 hours postoperatively.

There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of heart rate and MAP at various time points (P>0.05). Similarly, there were no significant differences in pain scores at various postoperative time points (P>0.05). Group II exhibited a significantly faster onset of anesthesia [(3.64±0.86) minutes vs (12.47±2.75) minutes] and a lower incidence of postoperative agitation (7.5% vs 30%), both with statistical significance (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of surgery duration, anesthesia recovery time, intraoperative body movement, or the incidence of postoperative nausea, vomiting, urinary retention, or increased secretions (P>0.05).

Both ultrasound-guided caudal block and ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block can be safely used in pediatric laparoscopic high ligation of hernial sac. The latter provides a faster onset of anesthesia and reduces the incidence of postoperative agitation, making it more suitable for pediatric surgical requirements.