Quadratus Lumborum Block for Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: A Randomized Controlled Study

Background: Recent studies have supported the use of quadratus lumborum block (QLB) for postoperative analgesia for patients undergoing renal surgery.

Aims: The aim was to study the efficacy of posterior QLB for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

Settings And Design: This trial was a hospital-based, randomized, double-blind, controlled, prospective study.

Materials And Methods: Forty patients aged from 18 to 60 years, belonging to the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-III and scheduled for unilateral PCNL under spinal anesthesia were administered ultrasound-guided posterior QLB with 30 ml of either 0.2% ropivacaine (Group Q) or normal saline (Group C) after the subarachnoid block. Duration of analgesia was the primary outcome variable.

Statistical Analysis Used: Data were compiled in Microsoft Excel, and analyses were performed in SPSS (version 24.0.0.0; IBM, Armonk, New York, USA). Unpaired -test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Fisher's exact test were used for the comparison of continuous, ordinal, and categorical data, respectively.

Results: Duration of analgesia was significantly longer in Group Q (1167.10 ± 89.74 vs. 290.25 ± 47.38 min), as compared to Group C. Except at the end of the surgery, visual analog scale at rest and on movement was significantly lower till 20 h in Group Q. Patient satisfaction was better, and analgesic consumption was lower in Group Q. Side effects were similar in both groups.

Conclusions: QLB provides good quality, and prolonged duration of postoperative analgesia compared to placebo for PCNL, but more large-scale studies are needed to recommend it for routine use.