A prospective randomized controlled trial comparing the analgesic efficacy of lateral vs posterior quadratus lumborum block in pediatric patients undergoing unilateral lower abdominal surgery

This prospective randomized controlled double blinded trial aims to compare the analgesic efficacy and safety of lateral versus posterior quadratus lumborum block in children undergoing unilateral lower abdominal surgery. A total of 120 children between 6 months to 8 years of ASA1 and ASA2 scheduled for unilateral infraumbilical surgery will be enrolled and randomized equally into two groups, group L and group P. Group allocation will be done based on Sequentially numbered opaque sealed envelope method. Both groups will receive 0.5ml per kg of  0.2% Ropivacaine and 0.5 mcg per kg of Dexmedetomidine during the block administration. Blocks will be performed by one of the investigators following standardized anesthesia induction protocols. The primary outcome is duration of analgesia, which will be compared between the two groups.

Study will be started after CTRI registration approval.