PAIN RELIEF AFTER INGUINAL-HERNIA REPAIR - A RANDOMIZED DOUBLE-BLIND-STUDY

A randomized double-blind study was undertaken using 0.5 per cent bupi vacaine ilioinguinal field block and oral papaveretum-aspirin tablets to assess pain relief after hernia surgery. A consecutive series of 20 0 men undergoing repair of a unilateral inguinal hernia underwent rand om allocation into one of the four groups to receive: bupivacaine and papaveretum-aspirin (group 1), bupivacaine and oral placebo (group 2), saline and papaveretum-aspirin (group 3), or saline and oral placebo (group 4). Patients were prescribed postoperative opiates to be given on demand. Pain levels and mobility were A assessed at 6 and 24 h afte r operation. Patients in group 1 reported significantly less pain, req uired less additional opiates and had better mobility than those in gr oup 4 (pain score P<0.001 at 6 h and P=0.002 at 24 h) and group 3 (P=0 .002 for pain and mobility scores at 6 h). Bupivacaine alone provided good immediate postoperative pain relief (P=0.002 group 2 versus group 4 at 6 h). The combination of bupivacaine and papaveretum-aspirin pro vided the best results and is suitable for day-case postoperative anal gesia.