Oblique subcostal transverse abdominis plane block for postoperative pain control in patients undergoing open sublay mesh hernia repair: a prospective double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Background: A bilateral oblique subcostal transverse abdominis plane block may help provide perioperative analgesia and reduce opioid use in patients undergoing sublay mesh hernia repair, but its clinical value is unclear.

Methods: In a single-centre, prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, patients scheduled for sublay mesh hernia repair were randomized to receive oblique subcostal transverse abdominis plane blocks with either 60 ml of 0.375% ropivacaine (n=19) or isotonic saline (placebo, n=17).