Ultrasound-guided Rectus Sheath Block In Children

Inguinal hernia repair is one of the common day-case surgery in children. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of ultrasound guided rectus sheath block and intravenous tramadol on peroperative anesthetic requirement and postoperative analgesia.

After approval the faculty ethical committee and informed consent from the parents (legal guardian) forty children aged 2-7 years scheduled for inguinal hernia repair were included in this prospective, randomized study. The patients were divided into two groups. After induction of general anesthesia, ultrasound guided rectus sheath block was applied to Group R with 0.2 mL/kg levobupivacain 0.25%. Tramadol 1 mg/kg intravenously was given to Group T before closure of the fascia. Intraoperative and postoperative hemodynamic parametres, postoperative pain by means of the FLACC were evaluated.

Primary end point was pain score using FLACC scale.

Inclusion Criteria:

• The children aged 2-7 years scheduled for inguinal hernia repair

Exclusion Criteria:

• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification III or greater, history of long term analgesic use, use of any analgesic within 24 hours before surgery, bleeding disorder, infection of application area, ultrasound imaging was inadequate and inability of the FLACC pain scoring system, substance sensitivity to local anesthetics.