Comparison of Post-Operative Pain Scores with Instillation of 0.25% Bupivacaine VS 0.50% Bupivacaine Intra-operatively in the Inguinal Canal for Inguinal Hernia Repair

Abstract

Objective:  To compare the effect of 0.25% versus 0.50% bupivacaine wound instillation on post-operative pain intensity following elective open inguinal hernia repair.

Methodology: This prospective comparative interventional research was done within the Department of General Surgery, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, in a period of over six months. Sixty male patients aged over 18 and having an elective open inguinal hernia repair under spinal anesthesia were recruited through non-probability consecutive sampling and divided into two groups. Group A was instilled with 0.25 percent bupivacaine and Group B with 0.50 percent bupivacaine on the wound. The Numerical Pain Rating Scale was used to measure post-operative pains at 8 hours. Analysis of the data involved the use of IBM SPSS version 24 and proper analysis involved independent samples t-test and Chi-square test.

Results:  Baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups (p > 0.05). Mean post-operative pain score at 8 hours was significantly lower in Group B compared to Group A (1.23 ± 0.42 vs 2.58 ± 0.54; p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Wound instillation with 0.50% bupivacaine provides superior early post-operative pain control compared to 0.25% bupivacaine following open inguinal hernia repair and may be considered a practical option for improving immediate post-operative analgesia.