ABSTRACT : The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of TAP block in patients undergoing unilateral inguinal hernia repair.

METHODS : This prospective, randomised , double-blinded control study was conducted at SRM Medical college and Research Institute , Kattankulathur after obtaining ethical committee approval . ASA I–II patients aged 18-60 years undergoing inguinal hernia repair were enrolled in the study. Spinal anesthesia was administered to all patients .Patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups. Group I (n = 30) received TAP block with 30 ml of 0.2 % Ropivacaine and Group II (n = 30) received a placebo block with 30 ml saline with a blunt regional anesthesia needle under ultrasound guidance immediately after surgery. The verbal analog scale (VAS) score was recorded at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively. Paracetamol IV was given to patients if VAS score >3. A rescue analgesia of tramadol 100 mg IV was given if VAS score > 6. The total duration of analgesia after TAP block and total analgesic consumption in 24 hours were recorded

RESULTS : Patients in Group I had prolonged post-op analgesia lasting 6-8 hours compared to group II for whom post-op analgesia lasted 2-4 hours. TAP block reduced VAS scores at all postoperative time points (P < 0.001) and postoperative analgesic requirement in group I (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS : TAP block provided effective analgesia, reducing total 24-hour postoperative analgesic consumption in patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair