Brazilian Journal of Anesthesiology
https://bjan-sba.org/article/doi/10.1016/j.bjane.2025.844683
Brazilian Journal of Anesthesiology
Original Investigation

Comparison of three quadratus lumborum block approaches for pediatric lower abdominal surgeries: a randomized controlled trial

Comparação de três abordagens do bloqueio do quadrado lombar em cirurgias abdominais inferiores pediátricas: um ensaio clínico randomizado

Arun SK, Ajeet Kumar, Amarjeet Kumar, Chandni Sinha, Abhyuday Kumar, Poonam Kumari, Bindey Kumar

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Abstract

Background

Lower abdominal surgeries in the pediatric population are associated with significant postoperative pain. Regional anesthesia techniques including ilioinguinal nerve block, Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block, and Quadratus Lumborum (QL) block have been explored for lower abdominal surgeries. This study compares the analgesic effect of three different approaches to quadratus lumborum block in pediatric patients undergoing lower abdominal surgeries.

Methods

This randomized controlled trial included 120 pediatric patients aged between 1 and 7 years, scheduled for lower abdominal surgery under general anesthesia. Patients were randomized into 3 groups. Patients of Group A received QL block via anterior approach, Group L received QL block via lateral approach, and Group P received QL block via posterior approach. A volume of 0.5 mL.kg-1 of 0.375% ropivacaine was injected unilaterally for QL block in all patients. The primary outcome was 24hr postoperative fentanyl consumption. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative fentanyl use, postoperative pain scores, time to rescue analgesia and parental satisfaction.

Results

Postoperative mean fentanyl consumption was significantly lower in Group A as compared to Group L (p < 0.001) and Group P (p < 0.011). Postoperative median FLACC scores were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in Group A in comparison to Group L and Group P in the early postoperative period. The parent satisfaction score was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in Group A. 

Conclusion

Anterior approach to QL block reduces postoperative analgesic consumption and provides longer duration analgesia with better parental satisfaction scores in comparison to lateral and posterior approaches in pediatric patients undergoing lower abdominal surgeries.

Keywords

Anesthesia; Nerve block; Pain management; Pediatrics

Resumo

Introdução

As cirurgias abdominais inferiores na população pediátrica estão associadas à dor pós-operatória significativa. Técnicas de anestesia regional, incluindo o bloqueio do nervo ílioinguinal, o bloqueio do plano do músculo transverso do abdome (TAP) e o bloqueio do quadrado lombar (QL) têm sido exploradas para essas cirurgias. Este estudo compara o efeito analgésico de três diferentes abordagens do bloqueio do quadrado lombar em pacientes pediátricos submetidos a cirurgias abdominais inferiores.

Métodos

Este ensaio clínico randomizado incluiu 120 pacientes pediátricos com idades entre 1 e 7 anos, agendados para cirurgia abdominal inferior sob anestesia geral. Os pacientes foram randomizados em 3 grupos. Os pacientes do Grupo A receberam o bloqueio QL pela abordagem anterior, o Grupo L pela abordagem lateral e o Grupo P pela abordagem posterior. Um volume de 0,5 mL·kg⁻¹ de ropivacaína a 0,375% foi injetado unilateralmente para o bloqueio QL em todos os pacientes. O desfecho primário foi o consumo de fentanil nas 24 horas pós-operatórias. Os desfechos secundários incluíram o uso intraoperatório de fentanil, escores de dor pós-operatória, tempo até a analgesia de resgate e satisfação dos pais.

Resultados

O consumo médio de fentanil pós-operatório foi significativamente menor no Grupo A em comparação com o Grupo L (p < 0,001) e o Grupo P (p < 0,011). Os escores medianos de FLACC pós-operatórios foram significativamente menores (p < 0,05) no Grupo A em comparação com os Grupos L e P no período pós-operatório inicial. O escore de satisfação dos pais foi significativamente maior (p < 0,05) no Grupo A.

Conclusion

A abordagem anterior do bloqueio QL reduz o consumo de analgésicos pós-operatórios e proporciona maior duração da analgesia, além de melhores escores de satisfação dos pais, em comparação com as abordagens lateral e posterior em pacientes pediátricos submetidos a cirurgias abdominais inferiores.

Palavras-chave

Anestesia; Bloqueio nervoso; Controle da dor; Pediatria

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Submitted date:
02/11/2025

Accepted date:
08/20/2025

691790cea953954b97120ee2 rba Articles
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