Application of Ilioinguinal or Iliohypogastric Nerve Block in Pediatric Ambulatory Surgery

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of ilioinguinal or iliohypogastric nerve block in pediatric ambulatory surgery. Methods From November 2011 To April 2012, a total of 60 pediatric patients, who were scheduled for elective inguinal hernia or hydrocele, were enrolled into the study. According to the methods of anesthesia, they were randomly allocated using a computer-generated sequence of numbers to one of the three groups: Group Le (group levobupivacaine, n=20), group Li (group lidocaine, n=20), control group(n=20). In all three groups, penehyclidine hydrochloride(0.01 mg/kg), ketamine(2 mg/kg) and propofol(2 mg/kg) were given to perform basis anesthesia. Children in groups Le and Li received an ilioinguinal or iliohypogastric block under ultrasonic diagnosis with 0.25% levobupivacaine and 2% lidocaine at 0.5 mL/kg, respectively. Children in control group just received ketamine(1 mg/kg) and propofol (2 mg/kg) anesthesia during surgical sterilization. During surgery, dosages and times of additional ketamine and postoperative recovery time were recorded. The vital signs of heart rate(HR), respiratory rate(RR), pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2), mean arterial pressure(MAP) were recorded in five time points during surgery: the basal(T0), anesthesia induction(T1), the skin incision(T2), pulling hernial sac(T3), seaming the skin(T4). And intra-or postoperation adverse events of urine retention, pruritus, postoperative nausea and vomiting(PONV) were also recorded. Face legs activity cry consolability(FLACC) score was used to assess the pain score postoperatively at 2 h, 4 h, 6 h postoperation respectively.(This clinical trial was reviewed and approved by the Ethiscs Committee of the hospital. For each pediatric patient , written informed consent was obtained from his or her parents of legal guardians). Results ① The demographic data of age, weight, gender, the kinds of surgery, and surgery time were no significantly difference(P>0.05). ②MAP, HR, and RR at T2 and T3 in group Li and Le were significantly higher than those in control group(P 0.05). Conclusions With good anesthesia/postoperative analgesia and less complications, ilioinguinal or iliohypogastric nerve block in pediatric ambulatory surgery is both feasible and effective. Key words: ilioinguinal or iliohypogastric; nerve block; ambulatory surgery; child