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QL vs LAI for Palatoplasty

Quadratus Lumborum Block for Pain Control in Unilateral Anterior Iliac Bone Graft Harvesting for Pediatric Patients Undergoing Palatoplasty: a Prospective Randomized Control Trial

Status
Recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06420336
Enrollment
46
Registered
2024-05-20
Start date
2024-06-25
Completion date
2026-07-30
Last updated
2025-07-04

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

Conditions

Post-operative Pain, Opioid Use, Cleft Palate

Brief summary

This study will consist of patients ages 6-18 who are undergoing a surgery on the hard or soft palate of the mouth (palatoplasty), with removal of bone from the front of the hip (anterior iliac bone graft harvesting). The patients will be randomized to receive either a unilateral QL block by an anesthesiologist, or local anesthetic infiltration at the surgical incision by the surgeon. The primary aim will be assessing post-operative pain in the first 48 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes will include pain medication use in the first 48 hours after surgery, block resolution time, and evaluating any complications associated with the QL block or local anesthetic infiltration.

Interventions

After induction of anesthesia and securement of appropriate airway device the patient will be turned over to the surgical team to proceed with the operation. The surgeon will proceed with usual injection of local anesthetic as their standard of care; this medication will be charted by the circulating nurse in the Medication Administration Record with local anesthetic type and amount. At the conclusion of the procedure, to maintain the blind, the patient will have a bandage placed where the QL block would have been performed.

PROCEDUREQuadratus lumborum block

After induction of anesthesia and securement of appropriate airway device, the patient will be placed in position for the QL block. Using ultrasound guidance, the pediatric anesthesiology attending will perform unilateral QL block on the side of the anterior iliac bone graft harvest. The dose will be 0.2% ropivacaine, 1 mL per kilogram to a max of 20 mL with an additive of dexamethasone 4 mg. Ultrasonography will be used to identify external oblique, internal oblique, transverse abdominus and quadratus lumborum muscles. A 50 mm-150 mm block needle will be advanced under ultrasound guidance. Ropivacaine will be injected slowly with frequent aspiration to rule out incorrect needle placement. The anesthetic is deposited at the lateral edge of the QL after penetrating the transversus abdominus aponeurosis. Injection will continue to be observed with real time US guidance.

Sponsors

Medical University of South Carolina
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

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

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* Patients undergoing palatoplasty with autologous bone graft from the anterior iliac crest. * Ages 6-18 years of age * Planned admission post-op * ASA Status Range: 1-3

Exclusion criteria

* Contraindication to QL blocks or LAI which may include: * overlying infection skin at the block needle insertion site * coagulopathies * known bleeding disorders * Allergy to local anesthetic * Cognitive or developmental impairment that would limit ability to report pain. * Non-English Speaking/Writing * Subjects or their parent/guardian unable or choose to not give informed consent/assent.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Pain Scores0-48 hours after surgery endsUsing the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, patients will report their average pain from 0 hours post-op through 48-hours post-op at various intervals. In the Post-Anesthesia Recovery Unit, pain scores will be evaluated every 15 minutes as clinically able, until discharged from the PACU. On Post-Op Day 1 at 9:00 am, pains average pain score from discharge to PACU to midnight will be reported. At approximately 24-hours after surgery ends, pain scores from midnight to 23-hours post-op will be reported, then at the 48-hour post-op mark, pain scores from 24-hr post op to 48-hour post-op time will be recorded.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Time to block resolutionup to 7 days after surgery endsSubjects will report the date and time that resolution of numbness over operative hip occurs or feeling of pain in operative hip returns.
Opioid Consumption up to 48 hours after surgery endsFrom the pre-operative phase up to 48 hours after surgery endsTotal morphine milligram equivalents (MME) will be calculated from pre-op to 48-hours after surgery ends.
Number of complications associated with each interventionFrom the time the intervention is administered up to 48-hours after surgery ends.Complications associated with study participation will be evaluated.

Countries

United States

Contacts

Primary ContactHaley Nitchie, MHA
nitchie@musc.edu843-792-1869

Outcome results

None listed

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