Comparison of Two Different Pain Management Techniques in Pediatric Patients Undergoing a Hernia Repair

While the terminal branches of T7 to L1 cannot be visualized under ultrasound as they pass between the internal oblique and the transverse abdominis muscles, they are expected to lie within this plane. The three muscular layers of the abdominal wall, however, can be easily identified under ultrasound guidance. A needle is advanced under ultrasound guidance towards the fascial plane that separates the internal oblique and the transversus abdominis muscles, at which point local anesthetic is deposited under direct visualization.

Ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric blockade is performed as an injection after palpation of the anterior superior iliac spine followed be a perceived loss of resistance with insertion of the needle, or may be infiltrated locally following herniorrhaphy exposure as anatomic landmarks can prove to be difficult to locate in the anesthetized pediatric patient.