Objective

This trial aimed to identify the Minimum Effective Concentration (MEC₉₀, defined as the concentration which can provide successful block in 90% of patients) of 30 mL ropivacaine for single-shot ultrasound-guided transmuscular Quadratus Lumborum Block (QLB) in patients undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA).

Methods

A double-blind, randomized dose-finding study using the biased coin design up-and-down sequential method, where the concentration of local anesthetic administered to each patient depended on the response from the previous one. Block success was defined as a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score during motion ≤ 3 at 6 hours after arrival in the ward. If the block was successful, the next subject received either a 0.025% smaller dose (probability of 0.11) or the same dose (probability of 0.89); otherwise, the next subject received a 0.025% higher ropivacaine concentration. MEC₉₀, MEC₉₅ and MEC₉₉ were estimated by isotonic regression, and the corresponding 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CIs) were calculated by the bootstrapping method.

Results

Based on the analysis of 52 patients, MEC₉₀, MEC₉₅, and MEC₉₉ of ropivacaine for QLB were estimated to be 0.352% (95% CI 0.334–0.372%), 0.363% (95% CI 0.351–0.383%), and 0.373% (95% CI 0.363–0.386%). The concentration of ropivacaine at 0.352% in a volume of 30 ml can provide a successful block in 90% of patients.

Conclusions

For ultrasound-guided transmuscular QLB in patients undergoing THA, 0.352% ropivacaine in a volume of 30 ml can provide a successful block in 90% of patients. Further dose-finding studies and large sample size are required to verify the concentration.