Ultrasound-guided Quadratus Lumborum Block for Postoperative Pain Relief After Cesarean Delivery

University of Oslo (UIO)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Postoperative Pain

Treatments: Procedure: nerve block

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02036749

2013/1293

Details and patient eligibility

About

The Quadratus Lumborum (QL) Block is an ultrasound-guided technique described by Rafael Blanco in 2007. The nerves to the lower abdominal wall can be anesthetized by injecting local anesthetics close to the anterior border of the quadratus lumborum muscle. In our randomized, controlled, double-blinded study ultrasound-guided QL-blocks in 20 female patients after cesarean delivery will be compared with a placebo control group of 20 patients to investigate analgesic consumption, pain level, opioid related side effects and mobilization.

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 45 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with cesarean delivery
• American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (ASA) < 3
• adequate communication skills
• Body mass index < 32

Exclusion criteria

• ASA > 2
• chronic pain
• neurological illness/ neuropathy
• contraindication against local anesthetics

Trial design

40 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

quadratus lumborum block (nerve block)

Active Comparator group

Description:

quadratus lumborum block with ropivacaine

Treatment:

Procedure: nerve block

sham block

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

QL block with saline

Treatment:

Procedure: nerve block