This study demonstrates that ultrasound-guided RSB provides superior analgesia in the perioperative period compared with infiltration of the surgical site after umbilical hernia repair. In comparing only the postoperative period, analgesia provided by an ultrasound-guided RSB showed a trend towards statistically significant improvement compared with infiltration of the surgical site.

This audit of 1285 children shows ambulatory CPNBs can provide postoperative analgesia and may reduce the need for inpatient parenteral opioid therapy.

The substantial hospital-level variation in opioid use in pediatric inpatients suggests room for improvement in clinical practice.