Effects of ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block on postoperative analgesia after caesarean section / 临床麻醉学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block (QLB) on postoperative analgesia after caesarean section.Methods Sixty parturientsscheduled for cesarean section, aged 20-40 years, ASA physical status Ⅰ orⅡ, were randomly divided into 2 groups (n = 30 each) using a random number table:QLB group (group Q) and control group (group C).Parturients in group Q received bilateral QLB with the use of 20 ml 0.33％ ropivacaine per side after surgery, while QLB was not done in group C.Both groups received patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) after surgery which contains 800 mg tramadol, 40 mg nefopam and 80 ml normal saline.The accumulative consumption of tramadol, the score of numerical rating scale (NRS) for pain at rest and on movement and the bruggrmann comfort scale (BCS) score were recorded at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 hafter operation.The cutaneous sensory block area was determined in group Q at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 hafter operation.The patient′s satisfaction with postoperative analgesia and adverse reactions were also recorded.Results The consumption of tramadol in group Q was significantly decreased compared with that in group C (P<0.05) at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 hafter surgery.NRS for pain at rest at all times, NRS for pain when cough at 12, 24 hafter surgery and NRS for pain when turning over at 4, 48 hafter surgery were significantly lower, while the BCS score was higher in group Q than that in group C (P<0.05).Quadratus lumborum block affected T7-L1 dermatomes at 4, 8, 12 hafter surgery and T8-L1 dermatomes at 24 hafter surgery.The analgesic plane of quadratus lumborum block disappeared at 48 hours after operation.The patient's satisfaction with postoperative analgesia was higher in group Q compared with that in group C (P<0.05).The incidence of postoperative nausea, vomiting and dizziness was similar between the two groups.Conclusion Ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block can remarkably reduce the consumption of tramadol after caesarean section, lower the postoperative pain score, improve the patient′s comfort and satisfaction.