TAPB vs QLBII for Kidney Transplantation Procedure

Ultrasound Guided Transversus Abdominalis Plane Block ( TAPB) Versus Quadratus Lumborum Type II Block (QLBII) in Perioperative Analgesia for Kidney Transplantation Procedure: Clinical Randomized Multicenter Study

The main advantage of Quadratus Lumborum Block (QLB) compared to Transversus Abdominalis Plane Block (TAPB) is the impact on visceral pain due to the spread of the local anaesthetic agent to the paravertebral space. It may produce extensive analgesia and better pain control. Previews studies shoved the effectiveness of TAPB in kidney transplantation procedure (KTX) by reducing opioids requirements during and after the operation. QLB was not evaluating in KTX procedure yet, but it reduced postoperative morphine requirement after cesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. The aim of this prospective, randomised controlled, multicenter, clinical study is to compare the perioperative analgesic efficacy of QLB and TAPB in patients who had KTX under balanced (general and regional) anaesthesia.

After Bioethical Committee of Medical University of Warsaw approval, informed written consent will be obtained from all patients. A sample size of 104 patients was calculated to obtain at list 25% reduction of fentanyl usage in QLBII group with 0,05% significance and power of 0,8. Consenting patients, scheduled to KTX procedure under general anaesthesia will be randomly assigned (1:1) according to the computer -generated randomization list with permuted blocks (block sizes: 20, 20, 24, 40) to receive 20ml of 0,25% Bupivacaine with epinephrine ipsilaterally to the operation side in QLBII or TAPB after the general anaesthesia induction and before the surgery starts. All the blocks will be performed in the supine patients position, under ultrasound guidance for both techniques. The correct spread of injectate will be confirmed with ultrasound.

Unilateral ultrasound guidance QLB on the operated side after induction of general anaesthesia - 20 ml of 0,25%bupivacaine with adrenaline injected with ultraplex needle

Unilateral ultrasound guidance TAPB on the operated side after induction of general anaesthesia - 20 ml of 0,25% bupivacaine with adrenaline injected with ultraplex needle

A non-stimulating echogenic single-shot needle designed for regional analgesia under ultrasound guidance.

Time from the end of surgery to the first postoperative intravenous fentanyl administered from intravenous patient controlled analgesia ( IVPCA) device.

1 - responds to normal verbal communication; 2 - drowsy, but responds to verbal communication; 3- asleep, but awakes with verbal communication; 4- asleep, awakens with mild physical stimulation. 5- asleep, unresponsive to physical stimulation.

Inclusion Criteria: Kidney transplantation procedure with anatomical urinary outlet Written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Patients' refusal Known allergies to study medication Inability to comprehend or participate in pain scoring scale Inability to use intravenous patient controlled analgesia system Anatomic, posttraumatic and postoperative deformations could possibly affect the spread of local anesthetic in transversus abdominalis plane or quadratus lumborum muscle plane. Transversus abdominalis plane or quadratus lumborum muscle plane not seen in ultrasound examination.

Kolacz M, Mieszkowski M, Janiak M, Zagorski K, Byszewska B, Weryk-Dysko M, Onichimowski D, Trzebicki J. Transversus abdominis plane block versus quadratus lumborum block type 2 for analgesia in renal transplantation: A randomised trial. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2020 Sep;37(9):773-789. doi: 10.1097/EJA.0000000000001193.