(402) EFFECTS OF PUDENDAL AND ILIOINGUINAL NERVE BLOCKS ON POSTOPERATIVE PAIN CONTROL IN VAGINOPLASTY FOR GENDER AFFIRMATION SURGERY

Postoperative pain control in vaginoplasty for gender affirmation surgery significantly affects the patient's experience. Other pelvic surgeries use nerve block along with general analgesia to improve pain management. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of preoperative pudendal and ilioinguinal nerve block on pain management in patients undergoing vaginoplasty.

A comparative cohort study with a historical cohort was conducted. All patients undergoing vaginoplasty at HUB from 2019 to 2023 were included. Those who underwent surgery without nerve block (n=38) were compared to those who did (n=21). The main study variable is pain measured with visual analog scale (VAS) on the 1st day. Secondary variables to be studied include VAS on the 5th day and at discharge, the presence of nausea/vomiting during hospitalization, and the use of rescue analgesia in the postoperative period. Comparative analysis were performed.

The mean VAS score on the first postoperative day was lower in patients who received nerve block compared to those who did not (VAS 2 vs. 3; p<0.05). There were no significant differences for the secondary variables studied.

Preliminary data suggest that adjunctive pudendal and ilioinguinal nerve blocks are effective in improving pain control on the 1st day after gender reassignment surgery. To accurately conclude the results, a randomized controlled study would be necessary.

None.