Inguinal hernia repair accounts for 10-15% of all operations in general surgery. Moderate to severe pain can occur at the first day after inguinal hernia repair in 25% of patients at rest and in 60% during activity. On day 6 after the operation the incidence can be as high as 11% at rest and 33% during activity.~Ultrasound imaging for regional anesthesia techniques have improved the success and safety rate of nerve blocks. We hypothesized that a procedure consisting of an ultrasound-guided inguinal field block (genitofemoral, iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerve block and incision line infiltration) could effectively control postoperative pain compared to selective unilateral subarachnoid anesthesia.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the analgesic efficacy of an ultrasound-guided inguinal field block (block of the genitofemoral, iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerve).