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Background and Aims Quadratus Lumborum Block III(QLB-III) and Ilioinguinal-Iliohypogastric (II-IH) nerve blocks can be utilized for postoperative analgesia after cesarean operations. The aim of this prospective randomized study is to evaluate the postoperative analgesic effectiveness of QLB-III and II-IH blocks in patients undergoing cesarean delivery.

Methods In this study, 70 patients were analyzed. Patients undergoing cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia were divided into two groups after the operation, and trunkal blocks were applied. Group QLB (n=34) received bilateral QLB-III block with 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine under ultrasound guidance. Group II-IH (n=36) received bilateral 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine under ultrasound guidance. Tramadol consumption, NRS scores were recorded at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours.

Results Total tramadol consumption in the first 24 hours postoperatively was significantly lower in the QLB-III group. When the resting NRS (rNRS) and dynamic NRS (dNRS) values were compared between the groups, there was no significant difference at all time points. However, intragroup analyses revealed that in the QLB-III group, rNRS values at 24 hours were significantly higher than those at 2 hours. In the II-IH group, both rNRS and dNRS values at 24 hours were significantly higher than those at 2 hours.

Conclusions In the postoperative period following cesarean delivery, both the QLB-III block and the II-IH block resulted in low NRS scores within the first 24 hours. Since the QLB-III block is associated with lower opioid consumption compared to the II-IH block, we believe it can be preferred for postoperative analgesia in cesarean deliveries.