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Quadratus Lumborum Block Using Loss-of-resistance Versus Ultrasound-guided Technique

Quadratus Lumborum Block Using Loss-of-resistance Versus Ultrasound-guided Technique

Status
UNKNOWN
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03328481
Enrollment
16
Registered
2017-11-01
Start date
2018-05-28
Completion date
2018-09-20
Last updated
2018-07-10

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Lower Abdominal Surgery, Quadratus Lumborum Block

Brief summary

This study aims to explore the feasibility of using loss-of-resistance technique for Quadratus Lumborum block (QLB). And to compare between the Ultrasound guided QLB type II and the loss-of-resistance technique for QLB as regards the degree and duration of analgesia and side effects.

Detailed description

Quadratus lumborum block (QLB) is an abdominal plane block with increasing popularity. QLB is achieved by local anesthetic infiltration at the anterolateral aspect of quadratus lumborum muscle (QLB-I), or at the posterior aspect of the muscle (QLB-II), or transmuscular (QL-TM block). Ultrasound-guided technique is the usual route used for QLB performance. QLB had been considered a modification of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block\[4\]. A cadaveric study had showed similar local anesthetic spread in both QL and TAP blocks. TAP block could be performed by using either the ultrasound or loss-of-resistance technique; whilst, QLB is only performed using the ultrasound and the feasibility of loss-of-resistance technique had not been investigated for this block. This study aims to explore the feasibility of using loss-of-resistance technique for QLB. And to compare between the Ultrasound guided QLB type II and the loss-of-resistance technique for QLB as regards the degree and duration of analgesia and side effects.

Interventions

PROCEDURELoss-of-resistance Quadratus lumborum block

ِA blunted 22-G, 11 mm, short-bevel facet needle will be introduced in the paravertebral line at the level of L3 or L4, in 30-45 degree to the skin directing it laterally. Once the skin barrier is breached, the needle will be withdrawn back so that the tip lies just under the skin. The needle will be advanced through the posterior thoracolumbar fascia and a first fast pop sensation will be felt when the needle pierced it. With further advancement of the needle, a second deep pop will be felt after it pierces the middle thoracolumbar fascia. At this point, the needle will be in the plane of the quadratus lumborum block type II. After careful aspiration, the 30 mLs of local anaesthetic will be injected. The needle will be visualized by the ultrasound by another physician to ensure safety.

A broadband (5-8 MHz) convex transducer will be placed transversely in the abdominal flank above the iliac crest to identify the external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominis muscles and aponeurosis. Then the external oblique muscle will be followed posteriorly until its posterior border is visualized (hook sign), and the posterior aspect of the Quadratus lumborum muscle is confirmed. A 22-G, 11-mm, short-bevel facet needle will be advanced under direct ultrasound visualization in-plane from anterolateral to postero-medial. Then the 30 ml of local anesthetic (bupivacaine 0.25 %) will be injected into the lumbar inter-facial triangle (LIFT) behind the quadratus lumborum muscle using hydro-dissection.

PROCEDUREGeneral anesthesia

Patients will receive 2 mg of midazolam and 8 mg of dexamethasone IV; then, they will be transferred to the operating room to receive a standard general anesthetic. Perioperative monitoring will include ECG, non-invasive arterial blood pressure, and pulse oximetry (SpO2) and end-tidal carbon dioxide. Anesthesia will be induced by propofol 1.5-2.5 mg/kg, atracurium 0.5 mg/kg, and fentanyl 2 mcg/kg to facilitate the insertion of an endotracheal tube. Anesthesia will be maintained by isoflurane 1-2% end-tidal concentration to maintain systolic arterial blood pressure and heart rate within + 20% of the baseline values. Ventilation will be adjusted to maintain normocapnia.

Sponsors

Cairo University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Patients scheduled for lower abdominal surgery under general anesthesia

Exclusion criteria

* Patient refusal to regional block, * Pregnancy * Coagulopathy * Cognitive impairment * Inflammation or infection at the puncture site * History of allergic reaction to study medications

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Duration of analgesia24 hoursThe time between the end of the surgery and the first analgesia request

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Intraoperative extra-analgesia requirements3 hoursThe total amount of analgesic drug boluses
visual analogue pain score at rest to assess the pain severity24 hoursthe grade of pain experienced by the patient at rest graded from 0 to 10. The lower the value, the better the score
Postoperative morphine consumption24 hoursThe total amount of morphine needed during the first 24 hours
Systolic blood pressure24 hoursthe systolic blood pressure measured in mmHg
Heart rate24 hoursThe number of heart beats per minute
Visual analogue pain score at movement to assess the pain severity24 hoursthe grade of pain experienced by the patient at movement graded from 0 to 10. The lower the value, the better the score

Countries

Egypt

Contacts

Primary ContactAhmed M Hasanin
ahmedmohamedhasanin@gmail.com1095076954

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026