Comparison of Post Operative Analgesic Efficacy of Quadratus Lumborum Block With Bupivacaine of Same Dose and Different Concentrations in Paediatric Patients Undergoing Unilateral Open Inguinal Hernia Repair

This study is a prospective, interventional trial designed to assess the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided Quadratus Lumborum Block (QLB) for postoperative pain relief in children aged 1 to 7 years undergoing unilateral open inguinal hernia surgery. The research compares two groups receiving the same total dose of bupivacaine (0.75 mg/kg) but at different concentrations and volumes: Group A receives 0.3 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine, while Group B receives 0.6 ml/kg of 0.125% bupivacaine. The primary outcome is pain score measured using the CHEOPS scale at 6 hours post-surgery. Secondary outcomes include pain scores at additional time intervals, time to first rescue analgesia, total analgesic consumption over 24 hours, and intraoperative fentanyl usage. The goal is to determine whether a lower concentration with higher volume offers pain relief comparable to a higher concentration with lower volume, while remaining within safe limits for pediatric patients.