Article Text
Abstract
Background and Aims The Quadratus Lumborum (QL) block has been used with mixed results in hip surgeries. Our study evaluated a QL block combined with pericapsular infiltration versus pericapsular infiltration alone in patients undergoing primary hip arthroscopy.
Methods Following ethics committee approval, 104 adult patients were randomized to receive a Transmuscular QL block versus no block. Only 103 patients were analyzed as one patient received spinal anesthesia. All study participants received general anesthesia and a pericapsular infiltration by the surgeon.
The primary outcome was post-operative pain scores. Secondary outcomes were opioid use as morphine milligram equivalents (MME) during the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) period, PACU recovery time, and adverse events.
Results There was no significant difference in terms of demographics and preoperative pain scores.
PACU pain scores and worst and average pain over 7 postoperative days were not significantly different.
Less intraoperative opioid was administered in the QL block group when compared to the control group (16.82 ± 7.87 vs. 20.59 ± 97.99 MME; p = 0.0055). However, PACU opioid consumption was similar between groups. Phase 1 PACU duration was shorter in the control group (58.98 ± 23.35 vs. 73.17 min ± 43.98; p < 0.01), but there was no significant difference in total PACU time. There was no significant difference in adverse events.
Conclusions There seem to be no benefit associated with the administration of a QL block in addition to pericapsular infiltration for patients undergoing hip arthroscopy.
Of note, in our study, all patients received pericapsular infiltration. This might explain differences with other studies.