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QLB vs ESPB for Lumbar Spinal Surgery

Posterior Quadratus Lumborum Block vs Erector Spinae Plane Plane Block for Pain Management After Lumbar Spinal Surgery

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06477198
Enrollment
60
Registered
2024-06-27
Start date
2024-08-06
Completion date
2025-02-22
Last updated
2025-08-08

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, Erector spinae plane block, Quadratus lumborum block

Brief summary

Ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block (QLB) is a fascial plane block where local anesthetic is injected adjacent to the quadratus lumborum muscle to anesthetize the thoracolumbar nerves. The ultrasound (US) guided erector spina plane block (ESPB) is a novel interfacial plan block defined by Forero et al. at 2016. Visualization of sonoanatomy with US is easy, and the spread of local anesthesic agents can be easily seen under the erector spinae muscle. Thus, analgesia occurs in several dermatomes with cephalad-caudad way. It has been reported that ESPB provides lumbar analgesia at T10-12, L3. This study aims to compare US-guided ESPB and posterior QLB for postoperative analgesia management after lumbar disc herniation-laminectomy surgery.

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 to anesthetize the thoracolumbar nerves. The ultrasound (US) guided erector spina plane block (ESPB) is a novel interfacial plan block defined by Forero et al. at 2016 The ESPB contains a local anesthetic injection into the deep fascia of erector spinae. This area is away from the pleural and neurological structures and thus minimizes the risk of complications due to injury. Visualization of sonoanatomy with US is easy, and the spread of local anesthetic agents can be easily seen under the erector spinae muscle. Thus, analgesia occurs in several dermatomes with cephalad-caudad way. Cadaveric studies have shown that the injection spreads to the ventral and dorsal roots of the spinal nerves. ESPB provides thoracic analgesia at the T5 level, abdominal analgesia at the T7-9 level, and lumbar analgesia at T10-12, L3 level. In the literature, it has been reported that ESPB provides effective analgesia after lumbar spine surgery. This study aims to compare US-guided posterior QLB block and ESPB for postoperative analgesia management after lumbar disc herniation-laminectomy surgery. The primary aim is to compare postoperative pain scores (NRS) the secondary aim is to evaluate postoperative opioid consumption, motor block, and adverse effects related to opioids (allergic reaction, nausea, vomiting).

Interventions

OTHERQLB

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, the convex probe will be covered with a sterile sheath and a 22G, 80 mm block needle (Braun Stimuplex Ultra 360, Germany) will be used. After visualizing the quadratus lumborum muscle, the needle will be punctured and 5 ml of saline will be injected into the posterior border of the quadratus lumborum muscle between QLM and latissimus dorsi muscle.. After the block location is confirmed, 30 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine will be injected. The same process will be applied to the opposite side (60 ml totally).

OTHERESPB

ESP block will be performed. Convex probe will be placed longitudinally 4 cm lateral to the L3 transverse process. Erector spinae muscle will be visualized on the hyperechoic transverse process. The block needle will be inserted cranio caudal direction and then for correction of the needle, 2 ml saline will be injected deep into the erector spina muscle fascia. Following confirmation of the correct position of the needle 30 ml %0.25 bupivacaine will be administered for the block in each side (total 60 mL).

Patients will be administered paracetamol 1 gr IV every 8 hours in the postoperative period. Postoperative patient evaluation will be performed by a pain nurse blinded to the procedure. Tramodol will be performed for rescue analgesia.

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

Sixty 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 QLB = QLB group, Group ESPB = ESPB group) including 30 patients each, before entering the operating room.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

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

Exclusion criteria

* history of 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 * Change in surgical technique in the intraoperative period

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Postoperative pain scores (NRS-Numerical Rating Scala)Postoperative 2 hours periodDifference in the NRS scores at postoperative 2 hours between the groups

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The use of rescue analgesia (number of participants) (frequency of rescue analgesia)Postoperative 24 hours periodTramadol using
The use of rescue analgesia (rate of tramadol using) (total consumption)Postoperative 24 hours periodTramadol using
Postoperative pain scores (NRS-Numerical Rating Scala)Changes from baseline pain scores at postoperative 1, 4, 8, 16 and 24 hoursThe secondary aim is to compare NRS at the postoperative 1, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours. Postoperative pain assessment will be performed using the NRS (0 = no pain, 10 = the most severe pain felt). The NRS scores will be recorded.
The incidence of adverse eventsPostoperative 24 hours periodThe secondary aim is to compare the adverse events (nausea, vomiting, itching, and motor block) related to opioid agents and blocks.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcome results

None listed

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