Comparison of inguinal nerve block and intravenous fentanyl in relieving postinguinal herniorrhaphy pain for pediatric outpatients.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric (IG/IH) nerve block and intravenous fentanyl for pain control following inguinal herniorrhaphy in pediatric outpatients. Seventy-five ASA physical status I and II children (aged 1 to 10 yr) with unilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy under general anesthesia were randomly divided into three groups. Group A received IG/IH nerve block, using 0.25% bupivacaine (1 mg/kg) immediately after induction. Group B received intravenous fentanyl (1 microgram/kg) immediately after induction. Group C received only general anesthesia as control. At postanesthetic care unit (PACU), we recorded the degree of pain/or discomfort at 5, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min using modified Hannallah's scoring system after the patient was fully awake. The degree of recovery was also evaluated using Steward's scoring system. After discharge, the parents were interrogated about the condition of child within 24 h by telephone. Follow-up items raised included vomiting, drowsiness, pain and shivering. Our results showed that children in both study groups had lower pain score than those in the control group, and in the fentanyl group children had lower pain score than in the nerve block group during the first 30 min at PACU. The recovery time was also longer in the fentanyl group. There was no significant difference among the three groups regarding the raised items over telephone interrogation. In sum, inguinal nerve block was effective for postoperative pain relief in children undergoing inguinal herniorraphy. We also suggested that small dose of intravenous fentanyl would serve as an easy, simple and effective means for relieving postinguinal herniorrhaphy pain during the first 30 min of the initial postoperative period.