Quadratus Lumborum Block for Post-Cesarean Analgesia
Status:
Terminated
Trial end date:
2017-02-05
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Most women having planned cesarean section receive spinal anesthetic for the procedure.
Typically, spinal opioids are administered during the same time as a component of multimodal
analgesia to provide pain relief in the 16-24 hr period postoperatively. However, spinal
opioids are frequently associated with adverse effects such as nausea, pruritus, sedation and
occasionally respiratory depression.
The quadratus lumborum (QL) block is a regional analgesic technique which blocks T5-L1 nerve
branches and has an evolving role in postoperative analgesia for lower abdominal surgeries
and is a potential alternative to spinal opioids. There is some evidence that it may provide
visceral along with somatic pain relief. It is a simple and safe technique that has been
studied in lower abdominal surgeries, but has not been studied for pain relief after cesarean
section.
If found effective, it will have the advantage of a reduction in opioid associated adverse
effects while providing similar quality of analgesia. This block has evolved from the
previously known transversus abdominis plane block.
We propose to undertake a study that will compare the relative efficacy of QL block with
local anesthetic to spinal morphine. We will also study if it provides any incremental
benefit when administered in addition to spinal morphine.