Ilioinguinal nerve blockade for analgesia after caesarean section.

Bilateral ilioinguinal nerve blockade was performed, using 0.5% plain bupivacaine 10 ml to each side, in 13 patients having elective Caesarean section under general anaesthesia. Pain scores and requirement for postoperative analgesia were compared with 13 patients in a control group. Pain scores were less in the block patients at all times during the first day after operation, with the exception of 12 h. There was an increased time from the patient's recovery from anaesthesia to the first injection of opioid in the block group. In the control group, patients required more analgesia in the first 24 h after surgery compared with patients having ilioinguinal nerve blockade. There were no observed adverse effects following nerve blocks.