[Inguinal funicular block in vasectomy]

The analgesic efficacy of inguinal funicular block with 10 ml carbocaine 1% as a supplement to local infiltration analgesia of the vas deferens was investigated in patients undergoing vasectomy. Pain/discomfort during vasectomy and on the first and third day postoperatively were investigated using a questionnaire. Fifty-seven male patients scheduled for legal sterilization were randomized and allocated in a double-blinded manner to receive the 10 ml carbocaine 1% in the right or left side and 10 ml isotonic NaCl in the contralateral side, the patient then being his own control. There was significantly less intraoperative pain on the side of the active inguinal funicular block (p < 0.0001), but no significant differences were found at the first and third postoperative day (p = 1.16-1.19). Inguinal funicular block can be recommended as a supplement to the usual use of local infiltration analgesia of the vas deferens.