Comparative efficacy of quadratus lumborum type-II and erector spinae plane block in patients undergoing caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia: a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundQuadratus lumborum and erector spinae plane blocks have been used to provide analgesia in patients undergoing thoracic or abdominal surgeries. Our study compared the analgesic efficacy of the quadratus lumborum type-II block (QLB-II) and the erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in parturients who underwent caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia.MethodsFifty-two patients with comparable demographic profiles were randomised into two groups, QLB-II (n = 26) and ESPB (n = 26). After the surgery, patients received either ultrasound-guided QLB-II or ESPB using 0.25% bupivacaine 0.3 mL/kg. Comparison of analgesic efficacy was in terms of fentanyl consumption (primary outcome), pain scores, incidence of complications in the 24-h postoperative period, and quality of recovery (QoR-15) on postoperative days one and two, and day of discharge.ResultsThere was no significant difference in cumulative number of fentanyl doses (W = 349.000, P = 0.840), numerical rating score at rest (P = 0.648) or with movement (P = 0.520), QoR-15 scores on postoperative day one (P = 0.549), day two (P = 0.927) or day of discharge (P = 0.676).ConclusionWe concluded that patients who underwent QLB-II or ESPB reported similar analgesic efficacy, complications, and quality of recovery in the postoperative period.