Transmuscular quadratus lumborum block for postoperative pain and recovery after laparoscopic adrenalectomy: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: To investigate the role of transmuscular quadratus lumborum block (TMQLB) for postoperative pain control, patient satisfaction and recovery in laparoscopic adrenalectomy. METHODS: Seventy-two patients aged between 18 and 70 years with an ASA I-II and scheduled for laparoscopic adrenalectomy were randomized to receive a single-shot TMQLB with 0.4 ml/kg 0.5 % ropivacaine or 0.4 ml/kg 0.9 % saline as placebo. The primary endpoint was pain on movement at 12 h after surgery evaluated by the numeric rating scale (NRS, 0–10). P-values < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The secondary outcomes included pain at rest and pain on movement evaluated by the NRS, and postoperative recovery related parameters. RESULTS: NRS on movement at 12 h after surgery was lower in the TMQLB group compared with the control (median 2 vs. 3, p = 0.024). Intraoperative fentanyl consumption was lower in the TMQLB group (247.08 ± 63.54 vs. 285.44 ± 74.70, p = 0.022). The rate of using postoperative rescue tramadol was also lower in the TMQLB group (5.6 vs. 27.8 %, p = 0.027). Similar incidences of nausea and vomiting were observed (11.1 vs. 25 %, p = 0.220). Patient satisfaction of pain service was better in the TMQLB group (83.3 vs. 25 %, p < 0.001) with shorter time to ambulation (16.5 vs. 21 h, p = 0.004) and flatus (18.5 vs. 23.5 h, p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: TMQLB showed better control of postoperative pain on movement for laparoscopic adrenalectomy with improved patients’ satisfaction of anesthesia, shorter time to ambulation and flatus. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03942237; registration date: 08/05/2019; enrollment date: 10/05/2019).