This observational study aims to compare the postoperative analgesic effectiveness of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and single-dose epidural anesthesia in patients undergoing umbilical hernia surgery. Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at predefined postoperative time points. The study seeks to determine which analgesic approach provides superior pain control and patient satisfaction in the postoperative period.

Postoperative pain management plays a critical role in reducing the adverse consequences of surgery, facilitating early mobilization, enhancing patient comfort, and promoting rapid recovery and discharge. Epidural analgesia is widely regarded as the gold standard for postoperative pain control due to its strong analgesic efficacy and its ability to reduce the need for additional anesthetic and analgesic agents. However, peripheral and fascial plane blocks such as the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block have gained increasing popularity because of their opioid-sparing effects and favorable side-effect profiles.

The transversus abdominis plane is a neurofascial plane located between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles and provides somatic analgesia to the anterolateral abdominal wall by blocking the thoracolumbar nerves from T9 to L1. Previous studies have demonstrated that TAP block is associated with reduced postoperative pain scores, decreased opioid consumption, and fewer opioid-related adverse effects.

This study is designed as an observational comparison of two routinely applied analgesic strategies in patients undergoing umbilical hernia surgery. Patients aged between 18 and 65 years, classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II, will be included. Depending on the anesthesiologist's clinical judgment and routine practice, patients undergo surgery either under single-dose epidural anesthesia or under general anesthesia followed by postoperative ultrasound-guided TAP block for analgesia.

No additional interventions or medications will be administered for the purpose of this study. Data collection will begin once patients are admitted to the postoperative recovery unit. Postoperative pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at recovery room admission and discharge, as well as at the 1st, 6th, 12th, and 24th postoperative hours. Rescue analgesia will be administered according to routine clinical protocols based on patients' reported pain levels.

The primary objective of this study is to compare the analgesic effectiveness of single-dose epidural anesthesia and TAP block in umbilical hernia surgery. Secondary objectives include the evaluation of patient satisfaction and the identification of the most effective postoperative analgesic approach within routine clinical practice. As all procedures involved are part of standard care, this study does not constitute an interventional drug trial but rather an observational assessment of established analgesic techniques.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients aged 18 to 65 years
• Patients scheduled for elective umbilical hernia surgery
• ASA physical status I or II
• Patients who undergo surgery under either: Single-dose epidural anesthesia, or general anesthesia with postoperative ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block, as part of routine clinical practice
• Ability to understand and use the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
• Provision of written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• ASA physical status III or higher
• Known allergy or contraindication to local anesthetic agents
• Coagulopathy or ongoing anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy contraindicating regional anesthesia
• Infection at the site of epidural or TAP block application
• History of chronic pain, long-term opioid use, or chronic analgesic consumption
• Neurological disorders affecting pain perception or assessment
• Severe hepatic or renal disease
• Pregnancy or lactation
• Inability to cooperate with postoperative pain assessment or inability to use VAS
• Emergency surgery

The study population consists of adult patients aged 18 to 65 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II who are scheduled to undergo elective umbilical hernia surgery. Patients included in the study receive anesthesia and postoperative analgesia as part of routine clinical practice, either with single-dose epidural anesthesia or with general anesthesia followed by ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block.

All patients are managed according to standard institutional surgical and anesthetic protocols. No additional interventions, medications, or procedures are performed for research purposes. Postoperative pain assessment is conducted using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) during the postoperative period. The study population reflects real-world clinical practice in umbilical hernia surgery.