Ultrasound Blocks for the Anterior Abdominal Wall

4. Iliohypogastric and Ilioinguinal Nerve Block | 51
anesthesiologists before clinical application of
ultrasound-guided blocks. Anesthesiologists need to develop a
good understanding of the anatomical structures involved in the
blocks. They need to acquire both a solid knowledge in
ultrasound technology and the practical skills to visualize nerve
structures.
Figure 4.3 – Transducer positioning for iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal
nerve block.
Since IHN and IIN visualization is not always possible because
it is operator, patient and equipment dependent, the TAM plane
near the ASIS may be a more useful landmark (Ford 2009). A
good endpoint for the inexperienced practitioner of
ultrasound-guided IIB may be the plane between the TAM and
the IOM where the nerves are reported to be found in 100% of
cases (Ford 2009). It is important to note that IHN and IIN can
not always be reliably identified; this is not a simple block!
Ultrasound novices starting to perform IIB should scan the