Ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane catheters and ambulatory perineural infusions for outpatient inguinal hernia repair.
OBJECTIVE
Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks anesthetize the lower abdominal wall, and TAP catheters have been used to provide prolonged postoperative analgesia after laparotomy. The use of TAP catheters on an outpatient basis has not yet been described. We present our experience with ultrasound-guided TAP perineural catheter insertion and subsequent management of ambulatory TAP local anesthetic infusions after inguinal hernia repair.


METHODS
Three patients scheduled for unilateral open inguinal hernia repair underwent preoperative posterior TAP catheter placement for postoperative pain management using a technique employing ultrasound guidance alone. A bolus of local anesthetic solution was injected via the catheter in divided doses, and block onset was confirmed before surgery. Postoperatively, a continuous infusion of ropivacaine 0.2% was delivered using a portable infusion pump, and patients were discharged with a prescription for oral analgesics for breakthrough pain and perineural infusion instructions. Patients were followed up daily by telephone.


RESULTS
All patients underwent successful TAP catheter insertion and maintained their catheters until postoperative day 2. All patients reported minimal pain for the duration of infusion without the need for any supplemental opioid analgesics, high satisfaction with postoperative analgesia, and no infusion-related complications.


CONCLUSIONS
An ultrasound-guided TAP catheter and ambulatory local anesthetic perineural infusion are a promising option for prolonged postoperative analgesia after outpatient inguinal hernia repair. A posterior insertion permits preoperative placement by keeping the catheter away from the planned surgical field.
Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
Justin W
JW
Heil
Brian M
BM
Ilfeld
Vanessa J
VJ
Loland
NavParkash S
NS
Sandhu
Edward R
ER
Mariano
D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation*; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000577:Amides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional
D000577:Amides; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077212:Ropivacaine