Inguinal block is very safe but like all regional anaesthesia it must be performed with a respect for the anatomy.
The most common complication is an associated femoral nerve block. In some papers it is stated that this can have up to 10% incidence.
In ambulatory patients this should be excluded prior to mobilization.
How does a femoral palsy occur?
The plane between the transverse abdominis muscle and the transversus fascia is continuous laterally with the tissue plane deep to the fascia iliacus, which contains the femoral nerve.
Fortunately, serious complications are rare.
Can visceral perforation occur with this block?
Visceral perforation has been reported and given what you will see in the anatomy pages of this session, you may be surprised that it doesn’t happen more frequently.