Role of ultrasound-guided lumbar “Erector spinae plane block” and ultrasound-guided transmuscular “Quadratus lumborum block” for postoperative analgesia after hip surgeries: A randomized, controlled study

Background and Aims: Our aim was to assess the postoperative analgesia after ultrasound-guided transmuscular “Quadratus lumborum block” (QLB) and lumbar “Erector spinae plane block” (ESPB) in hip surgeries postoperatively. Design: Double-blinded, randomized prospective study. Materials and Methods: Sixty-three patients who underwent hip surgeries were divided into three groups, with 21 patients each. Each group was given spinal anesthesia using 30 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. After the completion of the surgery, Group I patients were given ipsilateral transmuscular QLB and Group II patients were given ipsilateral lumbar ESPB. No block was given in Group III. In the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), pain was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scoring. The time of first analgesic requirement and the total postoperatively tramadol consumption in first 24 h was recorded. Results: No significant difference was seen between the three groups pertaining to patient's demographic data, type, and duration of surgery. Statistically significant lower NRS scores were present in QLB group and ESPB group than the control group in the first 24 h (P < 0.001). The total tramadol consumption was significantly more in the control group (346.67 ± 71.37) mg than QLB group (159.05 ± 39.74) mg and ESPB group (190.48 ± 33.83) mg with P < 0.001. Time duration of first analgesic requirement in PACU was 344.05 min, 267.86 min, and 105.24 min for QLB, ESPB, and control group, respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, both QLB and ESPB provide good postoperative pain control in hip surgeries with QLB providing a better analgesic profile when compared to ESPB.