Analgesic Efficacy of Quadratus Lumborum Block Against Erector Spinae Plane Block in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Prospective Randomized Study

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a very frequent surgical procedure with notable postoperative pain and discomfort. Both QLB and ESPB techniques have somatic and visceral analgesia. These interventions could be integrated into a multimodal analgesia strategy in sleeve gastrectomy surgeries.Objective: This study aimed to assess the postoperative analgesic efficacy of quadratus Lumborum block against erector spinae plane block in sleeve gastrectomy operations.Patients and Methods: This randomized prospective experiment had 92 people who were randomly assigned to have elective sleeve gastrectomy. They were randomly assigned to two groups of equivalent sizes [46 patients in each]. The initial group received QLB. The second group received ESPB.Results: The findings revealed no statistically significant difference in postoperative morphine consumption over a 24-hour period between the two groups [5.35 ± 2.19 mg in QLB versus 5.48 ± 2.17 mg in ESPB, p = 0.775], as well as in postoperative VAS scores and the timing of the initial request for rescue analgesia. Both techniques alleviated the stress response during trocar insertion and abdominal insufflation.Conclusion: The Quadratus Lumborum block [QLB] and Erector Spinae Plane block [ESPB] can be employed to reduce postoperative pain in sleeve gastrectomy surgeries, as they efficiently address both somatic and visceral pain components.