Ultrasound-Guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Block in Pediatric Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study

The present study was designed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block with high volume local anesthetic during the first 24 hours after surgery in pediatric patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair. Fifty seven children between 2 to 8 years of age undergoing unilateral inguinal hernioraphy were randomized to undergo a transversus abdominis plane block or to the infiltration anesthesia as control group. Intervention(s): A TAP block was performed using the ultrasound-guided technique with 0.5 mL/kg 0.25 % levobupivacaine volume on the ipsilateral side to the hernia under general anesthesia. Main outcome measures: First analgesic requirement time, cumulative number of uses of analgesic, pain scores and adverse effects were assessed over the course of 24 hours.