Comparison of Quadratus Lumborum Block and Epidural Analgesia Following Kidney Transplant Surgery

Comparison of Ultrasound-Guided Quadratus Lumborum Block and Epidural Analgesia for Postoperative Pain Management After Renal Transplantation

Quadratus lumborum block as an alternative for postoperative analgesia compared with epidural block

Epidural analgesia is the main choice of analgesia following kidney transplant surgery. However, continuous epidural technique had some concerning side effects such as hemodynamic instabilities, urine retention, motor/sensory disturbances/weakness, and mobilisation comfort, it could also cause hypotension which could affect graft success. Quadratus lumborum (QL) block had lesser side effects thus could be an option for postoperative analgesia, however there are no study showing the safety and success rate of QL block techniques for patients who underwent kidney transplant surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients undergoing elective kidney transplant laparotomy surgery
• Agrees to participate in research
• BMI < 30 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

• Declines to participate in research
• Contraindications to intervention procedures (epidural or quadratus lumborum block)
• History of local anaesthetic allergy
• Systemic allergic reactions, anaphylactic reaction, cardiac arrest
• Failure of intervention procedures (epidural or quadratus lumborum block)
• Intraoperative complications (massive bleeding, hypotension)