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Quadratus Lumborum Block for Lumbar Spinal Surgery

The Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Quadratus Lumborum Block for Pain Management Following Lumbar Spinal Surgery

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04981301
Enrollment
60
Registered
2021-07-28
Start date
2021-08-02
Completion date
2022-01-01
Last updated
2022-02-11

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

Conditions

Lumbar Disc Herniation

Keywords

Lumbar Disc Herniation, Postoperative pain management, Quadratus Lumborum Block

Brief summary

Spine surgery in thoracolumbar region is one of the most common surgeries performed for the treatment of leg and back pain. Pain management is especially important for these patients since chronic pain often occurs after surgery. Severe pain may occur at postoperative period in patients following lumbar disc herniation (LDH) operation. Postoperative effective pain treatment provides early mobilization and shorter hospital stay, thus complications due to hospitalization such as infection and thromboembolism may be reduced. Ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block (QLB) is a fascial plane block where local anesthetic is injected adjacent to the quadratus lumborum muscle with the goal of anesthetizing the thoracolumbar nerves. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of US-guided QLB for postoperative analgesia management after lumbar disc herniation-laminectomy surgery. The primary aim is to evaluate postoperative pain scores (VAS), the secondary aim is to evaluate use of rescue analgesia and adverse effects (allergic reaction, nausea, vomiting).

Detailed description

Spine surgery in thoracolumbar region is one of the most common surgeries performed for the treatment of leg and back pain. Pain management is especially important for these patients since chronic pain often occurs after surgery. Severe pain may occur at postoperative period in patients following lumbar disc herniation (LDH) operation. Postoperative effective pain treatment provides early mobilization and shorter hospital stay, thus complications due to hospitalization such as infection and thromboembolism may be reduced. Opioids are one of the most preferred drugs among the analgesic agents. Parenteral opioids are generally performed for patients after surgery. However opioids have undesirable adverse events such as nausea, vomiting, itching, sedation and respiratory depression (opioid-related adverse events). Various methods may be performed to reduce the use of systemic opioids and for effective pain treatment. US-guided interfascial plane blocks have been used increasily due to the advantages of ultrasound in anesthesia practice. Ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block (QLB) is a fascial plane block where local anesthetic is injected adjacent to the quadratus lumborum muscle with the goal of anesthetizing the thoracolumbar nerves. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of US-guided QLB for postoperative analgesia management after lumbar disc herniation-laminectomy surgery. The primary aim is to evaluate postoperative pain scores (VAS), the secondary aim is to evaluate use of rescue analgesia and adverse effects (allergic reaction, nausea, vomiting).

Interventions

DRUGQuadratus Lumborum Block

The block procedure will be applied after the surgery and before extubation with patients in the prone position by using US (Vivid Q, GE Healthcare, US). Under aseptic conditions using 10% povidone iodine, the convex probe will be covered with a sterile sheath and a 22G, 100 mm block needle (Braun Stimuplex Ultra 360, Germany) will be used. After visualizing the abdominal muscles with the anterior approach, the needle will be punctured in the Petit triangle and 5 ml of saline will be injected into the anterolateral border of the quadratus lumborum muscle. After the block location is confirmed, 15 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine will be injected. The same process will be applied to the opposite side (30 ml totally).

Sponsors

Medipol University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

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

Masking description

Outcomes Assessor and participant were blinded to the study

Intervention model description

Ninety patients aged 18-65 years old with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification I-II and scheduled for lumbar disc herniation surgery will be included in the study. Patients will be randomly divided into two groups (Group Q = QLB group, Group C = Control group) including 30 patients each, before entering the operating room.

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification I-II * Scheduled for lumbar disc herniation surgery under general anesthesia

Exclusion criteria

* Bleeding diathesis * Receiving anticoagulant treatment * Known local anesthetics and opioid allergy * Infection of the skin at the site of the needle puncture * Pregnancy or lactation * Patients who do not accept the procedure

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Postoperative pain scoresPostoperative 24 hours periodChange from Baseline Pain Scores at Postoperative 24 hours.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The use of rescue analgesiaPostoperative 24 hours periodTramodol using

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcome results

None listed

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