Retrospective review of ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block with general anesthesia for herniotomy in ex-premature neonates.

Objectives And Aims: We examine the efficacy and complications of general anesthesia with ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block performed on ex-premature neonates undergoing inguinal herniotomy.

Background:   The ex-premature neonate has many co-morbidities and is at risk of postoperative apnea and bradycardia. Anesthesia techniques aimed to provide good surgical conditions include general anesthesia and central neuroaxial techniques. There are still significant complications after these techniques and none is superior.

Methods/materials: A retrospective search of our department's computer database was conducted on ex-premature neonates, post-menstrual age of 48 weeks and under, who received general anesthesia and ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block for bilateral inguinal herniotomy from 1997 to 2009.

Results: Eighty-two neonates were selected. All medical notes were traced and information including the demographics, co-morbidities and perioperative data were obtained. The mean gestational age was 30.3 weeks (sd ± 3.2) and the mean post-conception age was 40.0 weeks (sd ± 3.1). Mean birth weight was 1284 g (sd ± 518) and mean weight at the time of surgery was 2795 g (sd ± 958). Thirty-two (39.0%) neonates had apnea of prematurity, which required caffeine treatment. Thirty-five (42.7%) neonates required intubation for ventilatory support preoperatively. There was a good success rate of the ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block in 73 (89.0%) patients. They were deemed successful clinically by the attending anesthesiologist. No perioperative rescue opioid was required. Four neonates had postoperative apnea requiring intervention.

Conclusion: Ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block has a success rate similar to other techniques and when combined with general anesthesia, provides a viable alternative technique of anesthesia in these high-risk patients.