This non-operative, outpatient procedure is designed to provide relief for patients with hip and lower abdominal pain. The technique allows the physician to inject an inflammation-reducing steroid around the ilioinguinal nerve with maximum accuracy.

This non-operative, outpatient procedure is designed to provide relief for patients with hip and lower abdominal pain. The technique allows the physician to inject an inflammation-reducing steroid around theilioinguinal nerve with maximum accuracy. “Almost all cases of hernia, with the possible exception of those in young children, could undoubtedly be subjected to the radical operation under local anesthesia.” This quote by Harvey Cushing reported in the Annals of Surgery in 1900 illustrates that over 100 years ago the attributes of regional anesthesia for lower abdominal and inguinal surgerywere appreciated. Ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric blocks are among the most frequently used regional blocks performed for these surgical procedures. Postherniorrhaphy pain is moderate to severe and often poorly controlled with opioids as the single modal therapy.1 Ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric blocks have been shown to significantly reduce pain associated with herniorrhaphy, regardless of whether the blocks are used as the primary anesthetic[2] or for pain control after general[3,4] or spinal[5] anesthesia.

The physician swabs the abdomen, injects a numbing medication and positions a hand-held ultrasound probe that will allow the physician to visualize the anatomy of the nerve and surrounding tissue and accurately inject the medication.

Injecting the Medication

The physician inserts a needle into the abdomen and guides it to the problem area using ultrasound imagery. The medication is then injected.

End of Procedure

The needle is removed. The local anesthetic and steroid solution will soothe the nerve, reducing inflammation and pain. The injection can be repeated if necessary.