Introduction

The annual rate for inguinal hernia repair ranges from 10 per 100 000 of the population in the United Kingdom to 28 per 100 000 in the United States [1]. There is ongoing debate about the efficacy of open mesh repair vs laparoscopic repair [2, 3]. Minimally invasive laparoscopic approaches offer certain advantages over open repair including reduced post-operative pain, enhanced recovery and early return to work [4, 5]. Regional blocks are an important component of multi-modal analgesia to enhance post-operative recovery. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a regional anaesthetic technique which provides effective analgesia to the parietal peritoneum as well as to the skin and muscles of the anterior abdominal wall. TAP block is delivered in the fascial plane between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles targeting the somatic nerves T6–L1 which run in this plane [6,7,8].

Several techniques are currently used to deliver TAP blocks, including blinded double POP technique [6], ultrasound-guided [7] and laparoscopic-assisted approaches [9,10,11]. The latter was first described in 2011 by Chetwood et al. while performing laparoscopic nephrectomies [9]. The advantages of this technique include ease of performance, less dependency on specialized skill set or equipment and avoidance of intraperitoneal local anaesthetic infiltration [9,10,11].

The efficacy of ultrasound-guided TAP block and rectus sheath block has been previously investigated in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair [12,13,14]. To the best of our knowledge, laparoscopic-assisted TAP block has not been utilized or evaluated prospectively in laparoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) repair of inguinal hernia as a component of multi-modal analgesia. The aim of the current study was to compare the efficacy of laparoscopic-assisted TAP block with conventional periportal infiltration of local anaesthetic in post-operative pain management for patients undergoing elective laparoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair. Pain assessment was measured using the visual analogue scale (0–10).

Methods

This double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted at Mayo University Hospital (MUH), Ireland, from January 2016 to October 2017. MUH is a teaching hospital affiliated with the National University of Ireland, Galway. Ethical approval was obtained from the hospital research ethics committee and the trial was registered with Clinical Trials.gov (Trial Registration no. NCT02632136). For conducting the trial, CONSORT checklist was followed.

Inclusion criteria

All consecutive ASA grades I–III patients deemed medically fit to undergo elective unilateral laparoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair between age 18 and 80 years were included in this study.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria were ASA grade IV, V; BMI > 40 kg/m2; converted to open or transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair; bilateral inguinal hernia; coagulopathy; allergy to bupivacaine; diagnosis of “chronic pain syndrome”; known alcohol or substance abuse within the last 6 months; daily opioid intake.

Randomization

Using a computerized “random number table” technique, a randomization list was generated, and patients were allocated following the list order on the day of admission. The procedure and intervention were explained to each patient by the admitting doctor and informed consent was obtained before transfer to the operating room. General anaesthesia was induced with fentanyl 2 µg/kg and propofol 2 to 3 mg/kg intravenously (IV). Rocuronium was administered and the trachea was intubated. Anaesthesia was maintained with oxygen, air (50%:50%), and sevoflurane. Fentanyl 0.5 µg/kg was given on 20% increase in heart rate or mean blood pressure. For persistent tachycardia morphine (0.05–0.1 g/kg) was administered. First dose of IV paracetamol (1 g) was given 30 min before the end of surgery. Ondansetron (4 mg) IV was administered 15 min before the end of the surgery for all patients. The intervention group received laparoscopic-assisted TAP block with Bupivacaine and periportal sterile saline, and the control group, received laparoscopic-assisted TAP block with sterile saline and periportal infiltration of Bupivacaine (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1
figure 1

Study flow diagram. TAP, transversus abdominis plane

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Two sets of syringes were prepared: 15-ml syringes x2 for TAP block; 15-ml syringe x1 for periportal infiltration. Both operating and anaesthetic teams were blinded to the intervention received by each patient. This was assured for each patient enrolled in the study, as an independent clinical research fellow prepared the appropriate syringes in a designated sterile area on the day of surgery and without participating in any of the procedures. In addition, post-operative pain assessment was performed by a separate team of clinical research assistants (3, 6 and 24 h), unaware of the pre-operative intervention in each case.

Laparoscopic-assisted TAP block

The TAP block was performed by injecting local anaesthetic (22G blunt needle) anterior to the midaxillary line after establishing the space of Bogros [15] (Fig. 2). Digital pressure was applied to define the site of injection. The needle was inserted at the site of injection until it was close to the transversalis fascia with slight tenting visible through the laparoscope. Then the plunger was withdrawn to exclude vascular placement and the local anaesthetic was infiltrated. The site of injection was inspected from within the space of Bogros. The presence of an internal bulge was regarded as the definitive point of the procedure (Fig. 3).

Fig. 2
figure 2

Surface landmarks for TAP block. Needle is inserted anterior to midaxillary line

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Fig. 3
figure 3

Bulge after injection of local anaesthetic, visualized through laparoscope within the space of Bogros

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Fixed dose of Bupivacaine 75 mg (30ml of 0.25% for the intervention group and 15ml of 0.5% for control group) was used. The intervention group received 30ml of 0.25% Bupivacaine and 15ml of normal saline at the three port sites before their insertion; 7 ml for the camera port and 4 ml for the two working ports. The control group received 30 ml of normal saline in the transversus abdominus plane and 15 ml of 0.5% Bupivacaine at the three port sites; 7 ml for the camera port and 4 ml for the two working ports.

All hernias were repaired using a knitted polypropylene pre-formed mesh (BARD 3DMAX). The mesh was secured with 2–3 absorbable tacks using a 5-mm fixation device (AbsorbaTack). Carbon dioxide was insufflated into the preperitoneal space at a rate of 4–6 L/min to a pressure of 15 mm. Three ports, one 10 mm for the laparoscopic camera and two 5-mm midline working ports were used.

Post-operative pain management

A standardized analgesic regimen was prescribed in the post-operative period. In the recovery room if patient pain score was more than 4 on VAS, intravenous morphine was prescribed (0.05–0.1 g/kg). Total opioids used in the peri-operative period were recorded. All patients received paracetamol 1000 mg 6 h and single dose of Dexketoprofen 25 mg at 8 h per-oral after induction of anaesthesia. This was constant for all patients. Rescue analgesia was offered when patient VAS score was more than 4. For rescue analgesia, Tapentadol 75 mg 6 h was prescribed. Maximum dose of Tapentadol prescribed was 300 mg.

Study outcomes

Primary outcome

The primary outcome in this study was assessment of post-operative pain scores both at rest and coughing at 3 h [10]. Pain assessment on coughing was designed to reflect pain induced by physical activity.

Secondary outcomes

Total rescue analgesic requirement, peri-operative morphine consumption and intra-operative fentanyl requirement were noted along with episodes of nausea or vomiting. Additionally, patient satisfaction levels with regards post-operative pain were also assessed by numerical rating scores (1–10). Additional time points were studied to investigate the pharmacological impact of Bupivacaine on pain scores over an extended period as this has not been reported using our laparoscopic-assisted TAP block technique previously. Pain was assessed at rest and coughing using the numerical visual analogue scale (VAS from 0 to 10) at 6 and 24 h. Patients were contacted by telephone at 24 h to assess pain scores.

Statistical analysis

Sample size was calculated according to the primary outcome measure of post-operative pain assessment at three hours. An effect size estimate of reduction in mean pain scores of two points on the VAS was calculated based on our previous analysis of laparoscopic-assisted TAP block in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.10 Sample size was calculated using world health organization sample size determination software. Alpha value of 0.05, power of 80% and standard deviation of 1.83 were utilized to calculate sample size; 30 patients were required in each arm to reach a power of 80% (Fig. 1). SPSS version 24 was used for data analysis. For continuous data, we used rank sum test and for categorical data, we used Chi-square test. Continuous data are presented as means with SD and categorical data are presented as frequencies with percentages; p value of < 0.05 was considered as significant. Per protocol analysis was conducted throughout.

Results

The total number of patients enrolled in the study was 62. Two patients were subsequently excluded because of conversion to open repair and, therefore, excluded from statistical analysis (Fig. 1). Similar patient characteristics were observed between the control and intervention groups (Table 1). All patients were discharged on the day of surgery and there were no post-operative complications recorded at 6 h.

Table 1 Patient demographics and clinical characteristics
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Primary outcome

Pain scores were reduced at 3 h after laparoscopic hernia repair (TEP) with statistically significant p values recorded both at rest (p < 0.001) and coughing (p < 0.001) comparing control and intervention groups (Table 2).

Table 2 Mean pain scores at rest and coughing at 3, 6 and 24 h
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Secondary outcomes

Total rescue analgesic requirements were significantly reduced in the intervention group (p < 0.001). Intra-operative fentanyl requirement was also significantly reduced in the intervention group as compared with the control group (p = 0.004). Intra-operative morphine consumption was similar in both groups (p = 0.12) (Table 3). The incidence of nausea and vomiting was similar in both groups. Of note, patient satisfaction scores (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the intervention group as compared with the control group (Table 3).

Table 3 Secondary outcomes: peri-operative analgesic consumption and patient satisfaction levels
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Reduction in pain scores at rest was recorded at 6 (p < 0.001) and 24 h (p = 0.035). Pain scores were reduced on coughing at 6 h (p = 0.001). However, no significant reduction in pain scores was recorded (p = 0.09) on coughing at 24 h (Table 2).

Discussion

This double-blind randomized controlled trial has demonstrated the beneficial therapeutic effect of laparoscopic-assisted TAP block in post-operative pain management for patients undergoing laparoscopic TEP inguinal hernia repair. The superiority of laparoscopic-assisted TAP block over conventional periportal block in terms of post-operative pain management has already been established by our group in laparoscopic cholecystectomy [10]. Over the last decade, multiple studies have been performed to evaluate the efficacy of both ultrasound-guided TAP and laparoscopic-assisted TAP block in various surgical procedures [7,8,9,10,11].

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is now widely utilized as a day case procedure. Post-operative pain management has an important role in the ambulatory setting. Our study has demonstrated that post-operative pain scores were reduced at 3 and 6 h, both at rest and on coughing, with statistically significant p values recorded. The beneficial effect of the laparoscopic-assisted TAP block approach was also evident at 24 h at rest although mean pain scores were higher compared with the first 6-h period after surgery consistent with the physiological mechanism of action of Bupivacaine. Although the focus of the current study was not to quantify the actual length of hospital stay in hours, we believe that the laparoscopic-assisted TAP block technique has the potential to facilitate hospital discharge within 3 h post-surgery. This in turn may increase operating room productivity. Similar therapeutic effects to those observed in the current study have been reported in post-operative pain management for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair utilizing ultrasound-guided rectus sheath and transversus abdominis plane blocks [12]. Another recent study has reported reduced post-operative pain scores up to 24 h after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair comparing ultrasound-guided TAP block with periportal block [13].

Other studies have used various local anaesthetic agents, with different strengths, half-lives and mode of delivery [8,9,10,11,12,13]. In our study, total dosage administered for laparoscopic-assisted TAP block was 75 mg (30 ml of 0.25% Bupivacaine). The periportal area was infiltrated with 15 ml of 0.5% Bupivacaine that also constitutes a total dosage of 75 mg. The volume and dosage of Bupivacaine selected for patients undergoing periportal infiltration with local anaesthetic (15 ml 0.5% Bupivacaine solution) were specifically chosen to replicate established clinical practice.

Complications of TAP block are rare. There were no complications associated with laparoscopic-assisted TAP block in our study. In the literature, very few but significant complications have been reported with ultrasound-guided TAP block including liver injury [16, 17]. Because laparoscopic-assisted TAP block is performed under vision, the risk of visceral injury is minimal. To date, there have been no complications reported with the use of the laparoscopic-assisted TAP block technique [9,10,11]. There was no significant difference between control and intervention groups with respect to operating and anaesthetic times confirming that the laparoscopic-assisted TAP block technique can be administered with minimal impact on the duration of surgery. However, studies have shown an increase in total anaesthetic time in patients undergoing ultrasound-guided TAP block [13, 14].

The current study demonstrated a significant reduction in rescue analgesic requirements in the intervention group as compared with the control group. There was also a significant decrease in intra-operative fentanyl requirements in the intervention group. Similar findings have been reported by Arora et al. utilizing the ultrasound-guided TAP block technique [13]. We also observed that patient satisfaction levels were higher in the intervention group as compared to the control group. A previous trial showing the effect of laparoscopic-assisted TAP block in patients undergoing colonic resection demonstrated reduction in morphine consumption and higher patient satisfaction levels [14]. In our study, there was no significant difference in peri-operative morphine requirements.

Various studies have shown the beneficial effects of TAP block as a component of multi-modal analgesia [9,10,11, 18]. The current study replicates the findings of our previous trial confirming the therapeutic effects of TAP block in post-operative pain management [10]. Our experience shows that laparoscopic-assisted TAP block is an efficient and easily transferable technique with high levels of patient safety. However, there is no randomized controlled trial reported to date to compare the efficacy and accuracy of ultrasound-guided and laparoscopic-assisted TAP block in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. There is now sufficient published evidence to routinely recommend laparoscopic-assisted TAP blocks in elective inguinal hernia repairs, cholecystectomies, and laparoscopic colon resections [9,10,11, 18]. We are currently conducting further studies to evaluate the suitability of this technique in other laparoscopic elective and emergency procedures.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic-assisted TAP block is effective in post-operative pain management as a component of multi-modal analgesia in patients undergoing total extraperitoneal (TEP) repair of inguinal hernia. It not only significantly reduces pain scores but also decreases rescue analgesic requirements, thereby improving patient outcomes. We, therefore, recommend this technique to be used routinely in total extraperitoneal (TEP) repair of inguinal hernias.