Inclusion Criteria: indication for inguinal hernia repair; signed informed consent  -  Exclusion Criteria: neurological disorders; allergy to local anesthetics; liver disease; serious cardiac conduction problems; severe anemia; cardiogenic or hypovolemic shock; congenital or acquired methemoglobinemia; primitive changes in coagulation; patients treated with class III antiarrhythmics (amiodarone); patients who did not suspend anticoagulants/antiplatelet agents; pregnant patients.