Comparison of ultrasound-guided subcostal transversus abdominis plane block and quadratus lumborum block in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A prospective, randomized, comparative study

The recent concept of "multimodal analgesia" is a better approach that utilizes several agents with varying modes of action on pain control pathways to reduce postoperative pain.

Regional analgesia techniques like Transverse Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block &Quadratus Lumborum (QL)Block are more popular as they are pharmacologically safe and effective.

Opioid sparing anaesthesia using blocks with a propensity to provide better post operative analgesia than opioid based anaesthesia which has shown to have poor patient recovery due to opioid causing side effects.

•        Very few studies has been done comparing TAP and QL block, worldwide especially in India, we aim to compare the effectiveness of these blocks.

The minimum sample size required for our current study is 98 patients.

Randomization of the sample will be done by the computer-generated block using random number generator to create list of random numbers.

1. GROUP A to get TAP block using 20 mL of bupivacaine hydrochloride 0.25% (group A, n=49)

2.  GROUP B to get QL block using 20 mL of bupivacaine hydrochloride 0.25% (group B, n=49)

After skin closure, under all aseptic and antiseptic precautions, USG guided TAP and QL Blocks will be administered using (20ml of 0.25% Bupivacaine) following double blind technique

•        The patient will be monitored for postoperative pain by VAS Scoring at 1 hr,2hr ,4hr, 8hr, 12hr and 24 hours post operatively.

•        Patients will also be observed for any rescue analgesia required and any side effects.