To observe the effect of laparoscopic-assisted transversus abdominis plane block for postoperative analgesia after inguinal hernia repair.

A total of 90 patients with inguinal hernia in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Jinan Central Hospital from January 2022 to August 2022 were selected and randomly divided into control (n=45) and experimental groups (n=45) according to random number method. Both groups underwent laparoscopic trans-abdominal preperitoneal repair. In the experimental group, ropivacaine block at the plane of the ipsilateral transverse abdominis was additionally performed. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score and the occurrence of adverse reactions related to transverse abdominis plane block were recorded at 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after operation.

The VAS scores of the experimental group were significantly lower than those of control group at 4, 6, and 12 h [2(1, 2) vs 3(2, 3); 2(2, 2) vs 3(3, 4); 3(2, 3) vs 4(3, 4) ] (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the VAS scores between the two groups at 24, 48, and 72 h (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05).

The laparoscopic-assisted transversus abdominis plane block is effective and safe for postoperative analgesia after inguinal hernia repair.