Effectiveness of Erector Spinae Plane Block and Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Analgesia in Post-Hernia Surgery Patients

Background: Many patients experience postoperative pain after hernia surgery, which can negatively affect recovery and patient comfort. Regional analgesia techniques such as the erector spinae plane block (ESPB) and transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) have increasingly been used to control pain with minimal side effects. However, the comparative effectiveness of these two techniques in managing postoperative pain after hernia surgery still needs evaluation to determine the optimal method for improving pain quality and accelerating recovery. Methods: This study was a true experimental design using a single-blind randomized trial. Subjects included patients aged 18 to 65 undergoing hernia surgery in the surgical operating room. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, including descriptive analysis and an independent t-test for mean comparison. Results: ESP block produced a longer analgesic duration, averaging 5.13±5.30 hours, compared to TAP block with an average analgesic duration of 3.93±1.78 hours, resulting in a mean difference of 1.2 hours (95% CI 0.52-2.15; p=0.030). There were significant differences in VAS pain scores at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively, with ESP showing lower scores than TAP. Morphine requirements were lower in the ESP group (1.62±0.71 mg) compared to the TAP group (3.11±1.44 mg), with a mean difference of 1.49 mg (95% CI 0.62-2.64 mg; p=0.001). The results of the difference in the value of NLR changes between before and after surgery between bilateral ESP and TAP blocks were found to have a significant difference with a mean difference of 0.36 (IK 95% 0.04-0.69; P=0.029). Conclusion: The ESP block demonstrated superior effectiveness compared to the TAP block as postoperative analgesia for hernia surgery patients.