PRO-RSTAP: Effect of TAP and RS Blocks on Recovery After Inguinal Hernia Surgery (PRO-RSTAP)

Inguinal hernia repair is a common surgical procedure, often performed as day-case surgery. Despite standardized surgical techniques, postoperative pain may delay recovery and occasionally lead to unplanned hospital admission. The PRO-RSTAP study is a prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial evaluating whether ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block, rectus sheath (RS) block, or their combination improves postoperative recovery after open inguinal hernia surgery. Adult patients undergoing unilateral open inguinal hernia repair are randomized into four groups receiving either combined TAP and RS blocks, TAP block only, RS block only, or placebo blocks , in addition to standard perioperative care. The primary outcome is total perioperative opioid consumption measured as intravenous morphine equivalents. Secondary outcomes include postoperative pain scores, need for rescue analgesia, postoperative nausea and vomiting, time to discharge, unplanned hospital admission, and chronic postoperative pain during long-term follow-up. The aim of this study is to determine the individual and combined effects of TAP and RS blocks on postoperative analgesia and recovery in patients undergoing open inguinal hernia repair.