Ann Surg Treat Res.  2025 Jan;108(1):57-63. 10.4174/astr.2025.108.1.57.

Efficacy of transversus abdominis plane block in postoperative pain management of laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair: a propensity score-matched analysis

• Lee G
• Moon S
• Kim N
• Baek D
• Son NH
• Seo KH
• Jung E

• KMID: 2564243
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2025.108.1.57

Abstract

Purpose
Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a promising technique for postoperative pain control. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the TAP block in managing postoperative pain after laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair.
Methods
In this retrospective study, medical records of patients who had received ultrasonography-guided TAP blocks after surgery from January 2019 to August 2023 were reviewed and compared with those of patients who had not received. Propensity score matching was controlled for age as a confounder. Postoperative pain levels were measured using the numeric rating scale (NRS).
Results
After matching, 95 patients were included in each group. The TAP block group (2.7 vs. 4.0, P < 0.001) had significantly lower NRS scores immediately and early postoperative pain than the control group (1.9 vs. 2.5, P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of postoperative complications (P > 0.05).
Conclusion
TAP block is effective and safe for managing immediate and early postoperative pain in laparoscopic TEP inguinal hernia repair and does not increase the risk of complications.

Keyword

Abdominal muscles; Inguinal hernia; Laparoscopy; Postoperative pain

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Comparison of the numeric rating scale (NRS) scores within and 6 hours after surgery between the control and transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block groups. The mean NRS scores with confidence intervals before (A) and after (B) propensity score matching (PSM) of the 2 groups.

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