Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) is one the most common cause of chronic abdominal wall pain. The syndrome is mostly misdiagnosed, treated wrongly and inadequately. If diagnosed correctly by history, examination and a positive carnett test, the suffering of the patient can be relieved by addressing the cause i.e. local anaesthetic with steroid injection at the entrapment site. Conventionally, the injection is done by landmark technique. In this report, we have described 2 patients who were diagnosed with ACNES who were offered ultrasound guided transverses abdominis plane (TAP) injection who got significant pain relief for a long duration of time.
Abdominal Muscles ; Abdominal Pain ; Abdominal Wall ; Anatomic Landmarks ; Chronic Pain ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Nerve Block ; Nerve Compression Syndromes* ; Ultrasonography*

Background: Pre-operative ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block (II-IHNB) has a proven role in lessening acute postoperative pain and opioid consumption following hernia repair. However, its role in preventing post-herniorrhaphy groin pain (PHGP) is still unknown. The current study aims to assess pre-operative II-IHNB's impact on PHGP three and six months after open inguinal hernia repair under spinal anesthesia. Methods: Seventy patients posted for inguinal hernia surgery were randomly allocated into group A (received ultrasound-guided II-IHNB with 10 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine and 4 mg [1 mL] dexamethasone) and group B (received ultrasound-guided II-IHNB with 11 mL of 0.9% normal saline). The time to first analgesic request, pain scores, opioid consumption, DN4 score, and PHGP at 3 and 6 months were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests. Results: The numerical pain rating scale at movement in group A was significantly reduced at all the time intervals of 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours compared to group B. Total opioid usage was lower in group A (3.71 mg [3.90]) versus group B (12.14 mg [4.90]) with a mean difference of –8.43 mg (95% CI –10.54, –6.32), P < 0.001. The time required for the first rescue analgesic was significantly longer in group A (360 min [180–360]) versus (180 min [180–360]) in group B (P < 0.001). However, there was no difference in the incidence of PHGP at three and six months between the two groups. Conclusions Pre-operative ultrasound-guided II-IHNB reduces postoperative analgesic requirement but does not reduce the incidence of chronic PHGP following hernia surgery at 6 months.

Background: Pre-operative ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block (II-IHNB) has a proven role in lessening acute postoperative pain and opioid consumption following hernia repair. However, its role in preventing post-herniorrhaphy groin pain (PHGP) is still unknown. The current study aims to assess pre-operative II-IHNB's impact on PHGP three and six months after open inguinal hernia repair under spinal anesthesia. Methods: Seventy patients posted for inguinal hernia surgery were randomly allocated into group A (received ultrasound-guided II-IHNB with 10 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine and 4 mg [1 mL] dexamethasone) and group B (received ultrasound-guided II-IHNB with 11 mL of 0.9% normal saline). The time to first analgesic request, pain scores, opioid consumption, DN4 score, and PHGP at 3 and 6 months were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests. Results: The numerical pain rating scale at movement in group A was significantly reduced at all the time intervals of 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours compared to group B. Total opioid usage was lower in group A (3.71 mg [3.90]) versus group B (12.14 mg [4.90]) with a mean difference of –8.43 mg (95% CI –10.54, –6.32), P < 0.001. The time required for the first rescue analgesic was significantly longer in group A (360 min [180–360]) versus (180 min [180–360]) in group B (P < 0.001). However, there was no difference in the incidence of PHGP at three and six months between the two groups. Conclusions Pre-operative ultrasound-guided II-IHNB reduces postoperative analgesic requirement but does not reduce the incidence of chronic PHGP following hernia surgery at 6 months.

Background: Pre-operative ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block (II-IHNB) has a proven role in lessening acute postoperative pain and opioid consumption following hernia repair. However, its role in preventing post-herniorrhaphy groin pain (PHGP) is still unknown. The current study aims to assess pre-operative II-IHNB's impact on PHGP three and six months after open inguinal hernia repair under spinal anesthesia. Methods: Seventy patients posted for inguinal hernia surgery were randomly allocated into group A (received ultrasound-guided II-IHNB with 10 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine and 4 mg [1 mL] dexamethasone) and group B (received ultrasound-guided II-IHNB with 11 mL of 0.9% normal saline). The time to first analgesic request, pain scores, opioid consumption, DN4 score, and PHGP at 3 and 6 months were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests. Results: The numerical pain rating scale at movement in group A was significantly reduced at all the time intervals of 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours compared to group B. Total opioid usage was lower in group A (3.71 mg [3.90]) versus group B (12.14 mg [4.90]) with a mean difference of –8.43 mg (95% CI –10.54, –6.32), P < 0.001. The time required for the first rescue analgesic was significantly longer in group A (360 min [180–360]) versus (180 min [180–360]) in group B (P < 0.001). However, there was no difference in the incidence of PHGP at three and six months between the two groups. Conclusions Pre-operative ultrasound-guided II-IHNB reduces postoperative analgesic requirement but does not reduce the incidence of chronic PHGP following hernia surgery at 6 months.

Background: Pre-operative ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block (II-IHNB) has a proven role in lessening acute postoperative pain and opioid consumption following hernia repair. However, its role in preventing post-herniorrhaphy groin pain (PHGP) is still unknown. The current study aims to assess pre-operative II-IHNB's impact on PHGP three and six months after open inguinal hernia repair under spinal anesthesia. Methods: Seventy patients posted for inguinal hernia surgery were randomly allocated into group A (received ultrasound-guided II-IHNB with 10 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine and 4 mg [1 mL] dexamethasone) and group B (received ultrasound-guided II-IHNB with 11 mL of 0.9% normal saline). The time to first analgesic request, pain scores, opioid consumption, DN4 score, and PHGP at 3 and 6 months were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests. Results: The numerical pain rating scale at movement in group A was significantly reduced at all the time intervals of 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours compared to group B. Total opioid usage was lower in group A (3.71 mg [3.90]) versus group B (12.14 mg [4.90]) with a mean difference of –8.43 mg (95% CI –10.54, –6.32), P < 0.001. The time required for the first rescue analgesic was significantly longer in group A (360 min [180–360]) versus (180 min [180–360]) in group B (P < 0.001). However, there was no difference in the incidence of PHGP at three and six months between the two groups. Conclusions Pre-operative ultrasound-guided II-IHNB reduces postoperative analgesic requirement but does not reduce the incidence of chronic PHGP following hernia surgery at 6 months.

Background: Pre-operative ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block (II-IHNB) has a proven role in lessening acute postoperative pain and opioid consumption following hernia repair. However, its role in preventing post-herniorrhaphy groin pain (PHGP) is still unknown. The current study aims to assess pre-operative II-IHNB's impact on PHGP three and six months after open inguinal hernia repair under spinal anesthesia. Methods: Seventy patients posted for inguinal hernia surgery were randomly allocated into group A (received ultrasound-guided II-IHNB with 10 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine and 4 mg [1 mL] dexamethasone) and group B (received ultrasound-guided II-IHNB with 11 mL of 0.9% normal saline). The time to first analgesic request, pain scores, opioid consumption, DN4 score, and PHGP at 3 and 6 months were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests. Results: The numerical pain rating scale at movement in group A was significantly reduced at all the time intervals of 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours compared to group B. Total opioid usage was lower in group A (3.71 mg [3.90]) versus group B (12.14 mg [4.90]) with a mean difference of –8.43 mg (95% CI –10.54, –6.32), P < 0.001. The time required for the first rescue analgesic was significantly longer in group A (360 min [180–360]) versus (180 min [180–360]) in group B (P < 0.001). However, there was no difference in the incidence of PHGP at three and six months between the two groups. Conclusions Pre-operative ultrasound-guided II-IHNB reduces postoperative analgesic requirement but does not reduce the incidence of chronic PHGP following hernia surgery at 6 months.