Effects of quadratus lumborum block regional anesthesia on postoperative pain after colorectal resection: a randomized controlled trial

Efficacy Of Quadratus Lumborum Blocks (QLBs) in Robotic Nephrectomy: A Retrospective Study

INTRODUCTION

Abdominal blocks such as quadratus lumborum block (QLB) have been used as an effective analgesic in abdominal surgeries. However, their efficacy in kidney surgery remains unknown. To the best of our knowledge, there are no clinical studies exploring the relationship between QLBs and post-operative opioid consumption in robotic laparoscopic nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the analgesic efficacy of QLB and its impact on perioperative opioid consumption in robotic laparoscopic nephrectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted by querying the electronic medical record system of a 2,200-bed tertiary academic hospital center in New York City. The primary measured outcome was postoperative morphine milligram equivalents (MME) consumption for the first 24 hours. Secondary outcomes include intra-operative MME as well as postoperative pain scores measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS) scale at 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours postoperatively.

RESULTS

The mean total postoperative MME in the posterior QLB (pQLB) group was 11 in the QLB group (interquartile range (IQR) 4, 18) and 15 in the control group (IQR 5.6, 28) . There was a significant reduction in intraoperative MME in the QLB group in comparison to the control group. This reduction was not seen in postoperative MME. There was no significant difference in pain scores at any of the measured time points up to 24 hours postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides compelling support that ultrasound guided QLB significantly decreased intraoperative opioid requirements but did not have the same effect on postoperative opioid requirements following robotic kidney surgeries in the context of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway.

Ultrasound-Guided Quadratus Lumborum Block Enhances the Quality of Recovery after Gastrointestinal Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Quadratus lumborum block (QLB) has been used to reduce postoperative acute pain and opioid consumption. However, the efficacy of QLB on the quality of recovery (QoR) after gastrointestinal surgery has not been established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of QLB to enhance the postoperative QoR in patients undergoing open gastrointestinal surgery.

Methods

Eighty-four patients undergoing open gastrointestinal surgery were randomized to receive ultrasound-guided QLB with either 20 ml of 0.375% ropivacaine or saline. The primary outcome was the QoR-15 score at 24 h after surgery. The secondary outcomes were the postoperative pain intensity, opioid consumption, the incidence of nausea, vomiting, and chronic pain.

Results

The global QoR-15 score at 24 h postoperatively was significantly higher in the QLB group than in the control group (mean difference: 16.9; 95% CI: 11.9–21.9). Additionally, the QoR-15 scores for five dimensions were significantly higher in the QLB group than in the control group. The cumulative oxycodone consumption was significantly lower in the QLB group during 0–6, 6–24, 0–24, 24–48, and 0–48 h postoperatively than in the control group. At rest or during coughing, the pain verbal rating scale scores were significantly lower at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h after surgery in the QLB group than in the control group. The incidence of postoperative nausea was significantly different between the groups, but postoperative vomiting was not.

Conclusion

Single-injection posteromedial QLB with ropivacaine enhanced the QoR at 48 h after surgery and improved analgesia during the early postoperative period in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery.

Ultrasound-Guided Posterior Quadratus Lumborum Block for Acute Postoperative Analgesia in Adult Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective

The quadratus lumborum block provides postoperative analgesia for patients undergoing abdominal surgery, although there are three common approaches to perform this block. The present meta-analysis investigated the effectiveness of posterior quadratus lumborum block (QLB2) after surgery.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register were searched from inception to 26 August 2021 for randomized controlled trials that evaluated the analgesic efficacy of QLB2 vs control (placebo or no block). The primary outcomes were pain scores at 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h after surgery. The secondary outcomes were morphine consumption at 24 h after surgery and the postoperative complications.

Results

The present meta-analysis included 14 studies conducted with a total of 1001 patients. In comparison to control group, the QLB2 group presented significantly lower rest pain scores at 6 h (SMD -0.59; 95% CI: -1.05, -0.12; p = 0.01, I2 = 84%; GRADE = moderate), 12 h (SMD: -0.83; 95% CI: -1.47, -0.19; p = 0.01; I2 = 88%; GRADE = low), and 24 h (SMD: -0.37; 95% CI: -0.71, -0.03; p = 0.03; I2 = 80%; GRADE = moderate) after surgery. The dynamic pain scores were significantly reduced, compared to control, in the QLB2 group at 12 h (SMD: -0.93; 95% CI: -1.52, -0.33; p = 0.002; I2 = 83%; GRADE = low) and 24 h (SMD: -0.52; 95% CI: -0.93, -0.11; p = 0.01; I2 = 83%; GRADE = moderate) after surgery. In addition, the QLB2 group presented reduced postoperative opioid consumption at 24 h (SMD: -0.45; 95% CI: -0.86, -0.03; p = 0.03; I2 = 78%; GRADE = moderate). The subgroup analyses revealed that the analgesic benefit of QLB2 did not persist beyond 24 h when the patients were under spinal anesthesia.

Conclusion

Ultrasound-guided QLB2 could provide effective analgesia for patients under general anesthesia by decreasing the intensity of pain and opioid requirement when used within 24 h after abdominal surgery.

Efficacy of quadratus lumborum block for analgesia in adult participants undergoing hip surgery: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

STUDY OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify the benefits of quadratus lumborum block (QLB) in terms of postoperative analgesic effects in adult participants undergoing hip surgery.

DESIGN

Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

SETTING

Previous randomized controlled trials that evaluated the analgesic effect of QLB compared to that of no block.

PATIENTS

Nine studies including 616 participants.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants in the treatment group received QLB, whereas those in the control group received no block.

MEASUREMENTS

Outcomes were postoperative 24-h opioid consumption (primary), 12-h/24-h visual analog scale (VAS) or numeric rating scale (NRS) pain scores, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and satisfaction. The effect size was estimated using the standardized mean difference (SMD), mean difference (MD), or risk ratio (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). We used the risk of bias tool (RoB 2) to assess the risk of bias of the included studies and the GRADE approach to determine the level of certainty of the evidence.

MAIN RESULTS

Compared to no block, the QLB group has less opioid consumption (SMD -1.69, 95% CI -2.54 to -0.84; low level of certainty of the evidence). Estimated MD for morphine consumption was 24 mg. The QLB group had a lower 12-h VAS/NRS pain score (MD -1.16, 95% CI -1.82 to -0.51; moderate level of certainty of the evidence) and 24-h VAS/NRS pain score (MD -0.92, 95% CI -1.42 to -0.43; moderate level of certainty of the evidence). QLB decreased the incidence of PONV (RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.79; moderate level of certainty of the evidence) and increased participants' satisfaction (SMD 1.15, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.67; moderate level of certainty of the evidence). Estimated MD for satisfaction was 1.74 points of Likert scale. There were no significant adverse events associated with the QLB in any of the included trials.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis showed that QLB when compared to no block clinically decreased opioid requirements, reduced PONV, and improved participants' satisfaction. QLB also seems to be significantly superior to no block in terms of pain score, but its clinical importance remains unclear.

Effect of Ultrasound-Guided Quadratus Lumborum Block Preemptive Analgesia on Postoperative Recovery of Patients with Open Radical Colon Cancer Surgery: A Retrospective Study

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block (QLB) preemptive analgesia on recovery in colon cancer patients undergoing open radical surgery and provide reference for its clinical application.

Methods

From July 2019 to June 2020, according to the anesthesia method, 56 patients who received open radical colon surgery were divided into two groups: Group Q (n=27), which received QLB combined general anesthesia, and Group C (n=29), which received general anesthesia only. Both groups were given self-controlled intravenous analgesia pump after surgery. The primary outcome is a series of parameters representing postoperative recovery. The secondary outcome was VAS scores and opioid consumption.

Results

The first time of getting up, flatus, taking semi-liquid diet and the postoperative hospital stay in Group Q were significantly reduced (P<0.01). The rest and active VAS scores were significantly lower in Group Q (P<0.01). The opioids consumption was significantly decreased in Group Q (P<0.05).

Conclusion

The application of ultrasound-guided QLB preemptive analgesia in open radical colon cancer surgery can significantly enhance the postoperative analgesia effect, reduce opioid consumption, and accelerate the postoperative recovery of the patients.

Clinical Trial Registration Number

The Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-2000034824).