A Comparative Study of Transversus Abdominis Plane Block versus Quadratus Lumborum Block for Postoperative Analgesia following Lower Abdominal Surgeries: A Prospective Double-blinded Study

CONTEXT: Traditional truncal blocks are devoid of visceral analgesia. Quadratus lumborum (QL) block has shown greater efficacy in providing the same. AIMS: This study was done to compare the efficacy of transversus abdominal plane (TAP) block versus QL block in providing postoperative analgesia for lower abdominal surgeries. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventy adult patients were randomly allocated into two groups, where Group A received TAP block with 20 ml of 0.25% ropivacaine on each side (n = 35) and Group B received QL block with 20 ml of 0.25% ropivacaine on each side (n = 35). The time of block, duration of surgery, Numerical Pain Intensity Scale (NPIS) score at the 1(st), 2(nd), 4(th), 8(th), 12(th), 16(th), and 24(th) postoperative hours, and the total analgesic drug requirements were noted and compared between the two groups. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data were analyzed with SPSS version 23 (IBM corporation, Armonk, NY, USA) with independent t-test and Chi-square test as appropriate. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The time for first analgesic requirement was 243.00 ± 97.36 min and 447.00 ± 62.52 min and the total analgesic consumption (morphine in mg) was 5.65 ± 1.55 and 3.25 ± 0.78 in Group A and Group B, respectively, both of which were statistically significant (P < 0.01). There was a significant difference in postoperative pain scores (NPIS scale 0–10) at rest, between the two groups, up to 16 h. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who received QL block had a significant improvement in postoperative pain relief with reduced consumption of opioids.