TAP vs QL Block for DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction

Not Applicable

Withdrawn

• Conditions: Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction

• Registration Number: NCT06962150
• Lead Sponsor: Yale University

Brief Summary

The purpose of this two-arm clinical study is to compare two nerve block techniques, the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and the quadratus lumborum (QL) block, in terms of how well they manage pain in the immediate postoperative period in patients undergoing deep inferior epigastric perforator flap breast reconstruction.

Detailed Description

This study is a randomized trial with two parallel intervention arms comparing TAP and QL blocks for post-operative analgesia in patients undergoing deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction. Participants scheduled to undergo DIEP flap breast reconstruction will be prospectively recruited and randomly allocated to receive either a surgeon-placed TAP block intraoperatively or an anesthesiologist-placed, ultrasound-guided QL block preoperatively. The overall objective of this study is to provide evidence of a best-practice procedure for managing pain post-operatively.

Aim 1: To compare postoperative pain scores and total opioid consumption (in morphine milligram equivalents) in the first 48 hours postoperatively between the two study groups.

Hypothesis 1: Receipt of the QL block is associated with relatively lower postoperative pain scores and reduced total opioid consumption.

Aim 2: To describe any changes in operation duration, time spent in the PACU, length of stay, time to ambulation, and costs that may be associated with using the more efficacious nerve block (as determined by results related to the primary objective).

Hypothesis 2: The QL block will be associated with shorter time to ambulation, time spent in the PACU, and length of stay. Because of requirements for the QL block to be administered preoperatively solely under ultrasound guidance by an anesthesiologist, receipt of the QL block is associated with increased operation time and total procedural costs compared to receipt of the TAP block.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2023-12
• Study First Submitted: 2024-11-12
• Status Verified: 2025-05
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-05-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-05-05
• Study First Posted: 2025-05-08
• Last Update Posted: 2025-05-08
• Primary Completion: 2025-12
• Study Completion: 2025-12

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: WITHDRAWN
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: Not specified

Inclusion Criteria

• Female ≥ 18 years of age at date of surgery
• Patient is booked for a DIEP flap breast reconstruction. Immediate and delayed reconstruction are both acceptable. Unilateral and bilateral reconstruction are both acceptable.
• English speaking or other with aid of in-person translator

Exclusion Criteria

• Patient unwilling to participate in trial
• Patient has allergy to nerve block components
• Patient is currently taking opioids for any reason

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Participant self-reported pain score, as measured by the Visual Analogue Scale at postoperative hours 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48	Postoperative hour 0 to 48	Participants will be asked to self-report their pain using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at postoperative hours 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48. The minimum sore on the VAS is 0 (no pain) and the maximum score is 10 (worst pain).
Opioid consumption during the first 48 postoperative hours	Postoperative hour 0 to 48	Participants' opioid consumption (in morphine milligram equivalents) during the first 48 postoperative hours will be recorded. (or until pt is discharged?)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Operation duration	Intraoperative period	Operation duration is measured as the time from first incision to final closure. (?)
Time spent in the post-anesthesia care unit	Postoperative - interval immediately following surgery	Time spent in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) is measured as the time out of the operating room to completion of PACU care.
Length of hospital stay	Postoperative - approximately 48 hours	Length of stay is measured as the time from when the patient leaves the operating room to patient discharge.
Time to ambulation	Postoperative hour 0 to 48	Time to ambulation is defined as the time from when the patient leaves the operating room to first ambulation (which is?).
Costs associated with each intervention	Participant check-in to discharge, approximately 1 week	We will consider personnel, medication, operation time, length of stay, and other intervention-specific costs to calculate total costs associated with each nerve block intervention.