Assessment of the Effect of Local Versus General Anesthesia on the Pain Perception After Inguinal Hernia Surgery



Hosseinpour M¹ ; Behdadb A² ; Resaeia M¹
Source: Ambulatory Surgery Published:2013

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study is to compare pain score and complications of local and general anesthesia in surgical treatment of inguinal hernia Methods: 100 patients with inguinal hernia were selected. In the LA (local anaesthesia) group (n=50) morphine (0.1-0.2 mg per kg) was injected initially for premedication before herniorraphy was performed with local anesthesia by 1% lidocaine. In the GA (general anaesthetic) group (n=50), after premedication, the operation was performed under general anaesthesia. Major complication such as vasovagal reflex, drug reaction, operation time, pain score, local and general complication and lengh of stay in hospital were evaluated. Results: The operation time was similar between groups, but the length of stay was one day in the LA group and up to five days in the GA group. Vasovagal reaction was seen in 2 percent of LA cases and in 4 percent of the GA group. The 4 hour post operative visit pain score was 2.5±1.3 in LA cases and 6.9±1.8 in the GA group (p<0.0001) but the 8 hour post operative visit pain scores were similar in both groups (6.66.6±1.3 and 6.4±1.5 respectively). Conclusion: Local anaesthesia for inguinal hernioplasty offers a reduction in early postoperative pain and a reduction in length of stay when compared to general anaesthesia.