Ultrasound-Guided Bilateral Transverses Abdominis Plane Block Versus Bilateral Quadratus Lumborum Block on Postoperative Analgesia in Women Undergoing Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

Abstract

Background: No trials were comparing the Bilateral Quadratus lumborum (QL) block versus transverses abdominis plane (TAP) block in patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy. Hence the present study compared the ultrasound-guided bilateral TAP and QL blocks in patients undergoing total laparoscopic hysterectomy and measured the pain score, rescue anesthesia requirement, adverse events, and patient satisfaction. Materials and Methods: This prospective randomized controlled open-labeled study was conducted on 140 adult female patients (ASA I-II) who were scheduled for total laparoscopic hysterectomy. Patients were randomized into two equal groups of 70 each (group TAP and group QL). Each patient received either Ultrasound-guided bilateral TAP or QL block after completion of laparoscopic hysterectomy under general anesthesia. Patients were monitored for Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores postoperatively, time for first analgesic requirement, and adverse effects if any. Independent t-test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Group QL showed significantly better VAS scores up to 24 hr postoperatively. VAS scores were significantly higher in group TAP than in group QL at all intervals postoperatively (p