Ultrasound guidance for ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block combined with general anaesthesia facilitates inguinal herniorrhaphy in an ambulatory setting by improving analgesia and reducing opioid requirements. Case reports in children indicate the possibility of colonic puncture and associated morbidity with blind ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric blockade.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility of ultrasound guided ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block.


METHODS
Pilot study of four patients where ultrasound imaging was used to identify the ASIS, anterior abdominal muscle layers, the peritoneum and to guide local anaesthetic infiltration in patients undergoing inguinal hernia surgery and appendicectomy.


RESULTS
All patients had successful blocks, without complications. Mean visual analogue scores were 2/10 in the post anaesthesia care unit. Mean opioid consumption was 10 mg of intramuscular morphine in the first 24 h.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasound guidance for ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block in the inguinal region is both feasible and a promising technique.
Hu
P
P
Department of Anaesthesia, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin 7, Ireland. kooliohu@hotmail.com
Harmon
D
D
Frizelle
H
H
D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007264:Inguinal Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block; D010865:Pilot Projects; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D014159:Transducers; D014463:Ultrasonography