Ultrasound-Guided Quadratus Lumborum Block Versus Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair and Appendicectomy Using Ropivacaine With Dexmedetomidine

Background The present study aims to investigate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum (QL) block versus transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair and appendicectomy using ropivacaine with dexmedetomidine for quality and duration of postoperative analgesia. Settings and design This was a prospective, randomized, single-blind study conducted for one year (September 2020-August 2021) in the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, after obtaining ethical clearance from the institutional ethics committee. Methods A total of 64 patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grades I-II and ages between 20 and 50 years undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair and appendicectomy were randomly allocated into two groups of 32 each; group A received ultrasonography (USG)-guided quadratus lumborum block using 0.5% ropivacaine 20 ml with dexmedetomidine 0.5 mcg/kg of body weight, and group B was given USG-guided transversus abdominis plane block using 0.5% ropivacaine 20 ml with dexmedetomidine 0.5 mcg/kg of body weight after the induction of general anesthesia and before surgical incision. Data were analyzed using Student’s t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and chi-square test as applicable. Results The duration of analgesia was statistically higher (P<0.001) in group A (21.00±3.73 hours) as compared to group B (14.44±2.99 hours). Group A had significantly less analgesic (P<0.001) at 12, 18, and 24 hours postoperatively. The visual analog scale (VAS) was significantly decreased in group A at rest and movement. The range of percentage changes in heart rate (HR) was significantly higher in group B as compared to group A at 12, 18, and 24 hours (group A: 7.23%-14.70%; group B: 6.41%-28.01%). The mean blood pressure (MBP) was significantly increased in group B at 12, 18, and 24 hours as compared to group A. The range of changes in baseline MBP in group A was less than in group B (group A: 0.73%-8.34%; group B: 0.73%-18.20%). Conclusion Quadratus lumborum block is effective and better than transversus abdominis plane block for providing postoperative analgesia during laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair and appendicectomy.