Evaluation of Ultrasound- Guided Quadratus Lumborum Block for Postoperative Analgesia after Hip Surgery

Abstract

Abstract Background With improvement of surgical technique, hip surgery became more frequent with increased need for adequate postoperative analgesia The main advantage of quadratus lumborum block (QLB) compared to spinal anaesthesia is the extension of local anesthetic agent beyond the transverses abdominis plane to the thoracic paravertebral space producing extensive analgesia and prolonged action. Aim of the Work to assess the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided (US) trans-muscular QLB compared to spinal anaesthesia during Hip surgery and in the early postoperative period regarding pain relief, provision of comfort, and improved respiratory functions. Patients and Methods 64 patients were randomly allocated to one of 2 groups (n = 32; each); group QLB received US-guided QLB before induction of spinal anesthesia using 0.2 ml/kg bupivacaine 0.25%. Group Spinal Anaesthesia alone: received Spinal anaesthesia alone, 3.5 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine plus 25 µg fentanyl. QLB results in decreased incidence and severity of postoperative pain resulting in a decrease in incidence and degree of sedation and total opioid requirement. The quadratus lumborum block was more efficient than the spinal anaesthesia alone. The first rescue for analgesia (pethidine), total pethidine consumption and pain scores (visual analog scale) in QLB group were superior to that for the spinal anaesthesia group. Conclusion patients having preoperative single shot QLB, as an adjuvant to spinal anesthesia, have significant less time for discharge from the postoperative care unit and better postoperative pain control compared to spinal anesthesia alone for hip surgery, in terms of VAS score and total opioid consumption as well as frequency of need.