Analgesic Effect of Ultrasound-Guided Bilateral Subcostal Anterior Quadratus Lumborum Block in Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Analgesic Effect of Ultrasound-Guided Bilateral Subcostal Anterior Quadratus Lumborum Block in Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Effective postoperative pain management is crucial for promoting early recovery and ambulation following laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Regional anesthesia techniques, like interfascial plane blocks, are increasingly being used to achieve this. The quadratus lumborum block (QLB) is a relatively new approach in abdominal surgeries, providing significant pain relief by blocking both somatic and sympathetic nerves. In particular, the anterior QLB technique allows local anesthetic to spread to the thoracic paravertebral space, making it potentially more effective for postoperative analgesia. The hypothesis of this study is that bilateral subcostal anterior QLB can reduce both postoperative pain and opioid consumption in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.
Postoperative pain management is a critical factor in enhancing recovery and ambulation following laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Effective analgesia is necessary to reduce complications, improve patient comfort, and shorten hospital stays. In this context, multimodal analgesia is a commonly used strategy that combines various analgesic drugs, such as paracetamol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and opioids, to manage pain more effectively by targeting different pathways.
Although opioids are considered the gold standard for postoperative pain control, their use is associated with several undesirable side effects, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, constipation, and respiratory depression. These opioid-related complications can delay recovery, increase patient discomfort, and extend hospital stays. Therefore, minimizing opioid consumption while still providing effective pain relief is a primary goal in postoperative pain management, particularly for surgeries such as laparoscopic colorectal procedures.
To achieve this goal, regional anesthesia techniques have gained increasing popularity. These techniques, such as interfascial plane blocks, have the potential to reduce opioid use and improve pain control by targeting specific nerve pathways. One of the more recent approaches is the quadratus lumborum block (QLB), which involves the injection of local anesthetics near the quadratus lumborum muscle. This block is particularly useful in abdominal surgeries because it can provide pain relief by affecting both somatic and sympathetic nerves, leading to broader and more effective pain coverage.
The QLB has four different approaches: anterior, lateral, posterior, and intramuscular. The anterior QLB is of particular interest in this setting because it involves the injection of local anesthetic between the quadratus lumborum and psoas muscles, potentially allowing the anesthetic to spread into the thoracic paravertebral space. This spread could result in the blockade of both the somatic nerves and the thoracic sympathetic chain, offering more comprehensive pain relief that is beneficial for abdominal surgeries like colorectal procedures.
The potential advantages of the anterior QLB in laparoscopic colorectal surgery include reduced postoperative pain, decreased opioid consumption, and fewer opioid-related side effects. Additionally, regional anesthesia techniques like QLB may reduce postoperative complications, including respiratory issues, which are particularly important in abdominal surgeries that involve the diaphragm and lower thoracic nerves.
In this study, the hypothesis is that bilateral subcostal anterior QLB, administered during laparoscopic colorectal surgery, will significantly reduce both postoperative pain and the need for opioids.
The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Bilateral subcostal anterior QLB on postoperative acute pain scores (0-24 hours) and 24- hour opioid consumption in patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Our study, which the investigators think will contribute to the literature, was planned as a prospective, randomized, controlled, parallel-group study.
Patients will be divided into two groups:
Group S-QLB:
A bilateral S-QLB (20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine + 1:400.000 adrenaline, bilaterally) will be performed. In addition, IV morphine-PCA will be applied postoperatively for 24 hours.
Group Control :
IV morphine-PCA will be applied postoperatively for 24 hours.
Inclusion Criteria They will be aged between 18 and 75 years. They will have an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification of I to III.
They will be able to provide written informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria They will refuse to participate. They will have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 35 kg/m². They will have contraindications to peripheral nerve blocks (e.g., coagulopathy, abnormal INR, thrombocytopenia, local or systemic infection).
They will have clinically significant cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease.
They will have severe hepatic, renal, or respiratory dysfunction. They will have known drug allergies. They will have a history of substance abuse. They will have chronic opioid use, defined as regular use of ≥15 mg oral morphine equivalent per day for at least 30 consecutive days within the past 3 months.
They will have chronic pain syndromes (e.g., fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, or chronic low back pain).
They will have neuropsychiatric disorders or cognitive impairment that precludes effective communication with the investigators.