B119 The transmuscular quadratus lumborum block does not provide any benefit following primary hip arthroscopy

Abstract

<h3>Background and Aims</h3> The Quadratus Lumborum (QL) block has been used with mixed results in hip surgeries. Our study evaluated a QL block combined with pericapsular infiltration versus pericapsular infiltration alone in patients undergoing primary hip arthroscopy. <h3>Methods</h3> Following ethics committee approval, 104 adult patients were randomized to receive a Transmuscular QL block versus no block. Only 103 patients were analyzed as one patient received spinal anesthesia. All study participants received general anesthesia and a pericapsular infiltration by the surgeon. The primary outcome was post-operative pain scores. Secondary outcomes were opioid use as morphine milligram equivalents (MME) during the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) period, PACU recovery time, and adverse events. <h3>Results</h3> There was no significant difference in terms of demographics and preoperative pain scores. PACU pain scores and worst and average pain over 7 postoperative days were not significantly different. Less intraoperative opioid was administered in the QL block group when compared to the control group (16.82 ± 7.87 vs. 20.59 ± 97.99 MME; p = 0.0055). However, PACU opioid consumption was similar between groups. Phase 1 PACU duration was shorter in the control group (58.98 ± 23.35 vs. 73.17 min ± 43.98; p &lt; 0.01), but there was no significant difference in total PACU time. There was no significant difference in adverse events. <h3>Conclusions</h3> There seem to be no benefit associated with the administration of a QL block in addition to pericapsular infiltration for patients undergoing hip arthroscopy. Of note, in our study, all patients received pericapsular infiltration. This might explain differences with other studies.