Comparison of Spinal Anaesthesia and Paravertebral Block in Unilateral Inguinal Hernia Repair

We aimed to compare the efficacy of spinal anaesthesia (SA) and paravertebral block (PVB) in unilateral inguinal hernia repair.

Sixty American Society of Anesthesia physical status (ASA) I-III patients aged between 18-64 years with unilateral inguinal hernia were enrolled in this study. Two patients in Group SA and 4 patients in Group PVB were excluded, and statistical analyses were done on 54 patients. In regard to anaesthetic choice, patients were divided into two groups, with 30 patients in each: Group SA, spinal anaesthesia and Group PVB, paravertebral block. Standard monitoring was done, and mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded during the surgical procedure. Demographic variables, surgical data, patient satisfaction, the onset times to reach T10 dermatome and to reach peak sensory level, and onset time to reach modified Bromage 3 motor block were recorded. Postoperative nausea and vomiting and pain at postoperative hours 0-24 with the visual analog scale (VAS) were also measured.

Compared to pre-anaesthesia measurements, the decrease in HR and MAP during the 10(th)-90(th) minute period was significant in Group SA (p<0.01). In Group PVB, sensory block duration time was higher, whereas paralysis rate was higher in Group SA (p<0.01). Bromage scores were significantly different between the groups (p<0.01). In Group SA, VAS score at the 24(th) postoperative hour, nausea, and vomiting were significantly higher compared to Group PVB (p<0.01).

In conclusion, paravertebral block provides acceptable surgical anaesthesia, maintaining good quality and long duration on postoperative analgesia in unilateral hernia repair.