Abstract:Objective To evaluate safety and feasibility of ultrasound-guided abdominal transverse plane (TAP) block combined ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves (IIN) block for oblique hernia patch repair without tension in elderly patients. Methods A group of 60 patients with unilateral inguinal hernia surgery were randomly divided into group A (TAP + IIN block anesthesia) and group B (IIN block). The changes of MAP and HR before anesthesia (T0),at the time of surgical incision (T1), dissection of hernia sac (T2) and suture of repair patch (T3) and after operation(T4), the dosage of Sufentanil and the plane of sensation block, the rating of clinical anesthetic effectiveness and adverse reactions; the VAS scores and BCS comfort score 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 h after operation were observed in the two groups. Results Compared to the group B, HR and MAP at T2 and T3 were lower in the group A, the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in HR or MAP at T0,T1, or T4 between the groups A and B (P > 0.05). Compared to the group B, the VAS scores were lower and the BCS comfort score was higher in the group A at 2, 4, 6 and 8 h after operation, the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05); but there were no statistical differences in the VAS or BCS scores at 12 or 24 h after operation between the two groups (P > 0.05). The group A had a higher plane of sensation block, better anesthetic effect, and smaller dosage of Sufentanil compared to the group B and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no nerve damage, puncture injury or infection in either group. Conclusions When ultrasound-guided abdomen transverse plane block combined ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block is used for patch repair of inguinal hernia without tension, the anesthetic effect is good, intraoperative blood pressure is stable, operation is easy and safe and complications are few, and the degree of comfort is high. Therefore it is an ideal method of anesthesia for patch repair of hernia without tension in elderly patients.