Superior hypogastric nerve plexus (SHNP) block for pain management after minimally invasive gynecology surgeries: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of superior hypogastric nerve plexus (SHNP) block in postoperative pain management in the first 24 h after minimally invasive gynecological (MIG) surgeries.

Methods: We conducted a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at a tertiary care centre from May 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023 in women undergoing major MIG surgeries. At the completion of the surgery, women were randomized to the intervention group who received SHNP block with ropivacaine 10 mL (0.75%) before port removal, whereas no intervention was taken in the control group. The extubation time was noted, and the pain score was assessed after 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 h of extubation in the postoperative period using the visual analog scale (VAS). Statistical analysis was done, with a significance level of 0.05, to test the differences between the two groups.

Results: A total of 64 patients were randomly allocated to intervention and control groups. The median pain score was lower at 1 and 2 h post-extubation and comparable between the two groups at 6, 12, and 24 h. The surrogate markers that is need for additional analgesia and duration of stay did not differ significantly in the two groups, with P-values of 0.08 and 0.943, respectively.

Conclusion: Although the SHNP group experienced considerably lower immediate postoperative pain levels in the initial hours following extubation, the impact of this benefit remains uncertain in the longer postoperative period. The effectiveness of this modality for pain control needs further study, particularly at later postoperative hours.