Comparison Study of Quadratus Lumborum Block Versus Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Children Undergoing Infra-Umbilical Surgeries under General Anesthesia: A Prospective Randomised Study

Objective: Quadratus lumborum block (QL block) is a new addition to the truncal blocks used for postoperative analgesia of both upper and lower abdominal surgeries. We conducted this study to evaluate and compare the effect of the two truncal blocks QL-II block and transverses abdominis plane block on the of duration of effective analgesia in children undergoing infra umblical surgeries under general anesthesia. Methods: A prospective randomised study in patients between 1-7 years of age undergoing infraumbilical surgeries. 33 patients in each group. Group A received ipsilateral ultrasound guided Quadratus lumborum (QL) block group (0.5 ml kg-1 0.2% bupivacaine) and Group B received ipsilateral ultrasound guided Transversus abdominis plane block (TAP) (0.5 ml kg-1 0.2% bupivacaine). The primary outcome was the duration of effective in the postoperative period and secondary outcomes were the distribution of FLACC scores and Parent Satisfaction score. Results: The duration of effective analgesia was longer in group A (mean of 18.0 hours) when compared to group B (mean of 9.5 hours) in Quadratus lumborum (Type II) block group tends to have lesser pain scores (FLACC scale) and better parent satisfaction levels when compared with TAP block. Conclusion: Quadratus lumborum-II block provides longer duration of effective analgesia in the post–operative period in children aged 1-7 years undergoing infra umbilical surgeries under general anaesthesia. It also tends to achieve lesser pain scores and better parent satisfaction levels when compared with TAP block.