The comparative evaluation of safety and efficacy of unilateral paravertebral block with conventional spinal anaesthesia for inguinal hernia repair.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Unilateral paravertebral block (PVB) as a sole anaesthetic technique is underutilised even in experienced hands. Hence, this study was undertaken regarding the efficacy and safety of PVB and compared with subarachnoid block (SAB) for inguinal hernia repair procedures.

METHODS: Sixty-three consenting adult male patients scheduled for unilateral inguinal hernia repair were randomly assigned to receive either PVB or SAB (Group P: PVBs at T10-L2 levels, 5 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine at each segment; Group S: SAB at L3-L4 level with 12.5 mg 0.5% of hyperbaric bupivacaine). Primary objective was to compare duration of post-operative analgesia and time to reach discharge criteria (modified Aldrete scores and modified post-anaesthetic discharge scoring [PADS] scores). Secondary objectives were to compare the block characteristics (time required for performing the block, time to surgical anaesthesia, time to ambulation, time to the first analgesic, total rescue analgesic consumption) and adverse effects. Independent Student's t-test was used for continuous data and Pearson Chi-square test for categorical data. P <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS: The duration of post-operative analgesia (min) was 384.57 ± 38.67 in Group P and 194.27 ± 20.30 in Group S (P < 0.05). Modified PADS scores were significantly higher at 4 h and 6 h (P < 0.0001) in Group P. Time to reach the discharge criteria was early in Group P than Group S.

CONCLUSION: PVB provides excellent post-operative analgesic conditions with lesser adverse effects and shorter time to reach the discharge criteria compared to SAB.