Quadratus Lumborum Block Versus Transversus Abdominis Plane Block in Patients Undergoing Left Hemicolectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

TAP is a recommended multimodal method of reducing postoperative pain in laparoscopic and open surgery. TAP block seems to be feasible and effective in postoperative pain control without increasing morbidity in colon resections. QL block is also performed as one of the perioperative pain management procedures in abdominal surgery. It is regarded as an effective analgesic tool. The dermatomal effects of QL block reach higher than the TAP block, and might explain the better effect of the QL block than TAP blocks on postoperative pain after caesarean delivery. For this study the investigators standardize the type of surgery to be left hemicolectomy. This is the most common procedure on colon.

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The number of patients required for the study was calculated on the basis of opioid consumption. We were interested in a reduction by 20% in the group given QLB. Assuming α=0,05, we calculated that we need 69 patients (23 in each group) to achieve a power of 80% (β=0.2).

75 adult patients scheduled for left hemicolectomy have to be included.

Subcutaneous wound infiltration at the end of surgery in all patients with ropivacaine 2 mg/ml, 20 ml. Maximum allowed dosis of Ropivacain is 3 mg/kg bodyweight (BW), dosis reduction if BW<70 kg Premedication: Paracetamol 2 g and Diklofenak 100 mg orally. General anaesthesia: TCI: Propofol and Remifentanil Ondansetron 4 mg, dexamethasone 8 mg and Oxycodone 5 mg intravenously at the end of surgery.