QLB vs mTLIP for Lumbar Spinal Surgery

Quadratus Lumborum Block vs Modified-Thoracolumbar Interfascial Plane Block for Pain Management After Lumbar Spinal Surgery

Ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block (QLB) is a fascial plane block where local anesthetic is injected adjacent to the quadratus lumborum muscle with the goal of anesthetizing the thoracolumbar nerves. In TLIP block, local anesthetic solution is injected between the multifidus and logissimus muscles nearly at the level of the 3rd lumbar vertebra and targets the dorsal rami of the thoracolumbar nerves. Ahiskalioglu et al. defined modified-lateral technique of TLIP (mTLIP) block as a new approach. Ahiskalioglu et al. have reported that this approach has some advantages. Firstly, sonographic visualisation is more easily than the classical technique. Secondly, insertion of the needle from medial to lateral direction reduces the risk of possible neuraxial injection. It has been reported that this technique provides effective analgesia after lumbar spinal surgery. The aim of this study is to compare US-guided mTLIP block and QLB for postoperative analgesia management after lumbar disc herniation-laminectomy surgery.

Spine surgery in thoracolumbar region is one of the most common surgeries performed for the treatment of leg and back pain. Pain management is especially important for these patients since chronic pain often occurs after surgery. Severe pain may occur at postoperative period in patients following lumbar disc herniation (LDH) operation. Postoperative effective pain treatment provides early mobilization and shorter hospital stay, thus complications due to hospitalization such as infection and thromboembolism may be reduced. Opioids are one of the most preferred drugs among the analgesic agents. Parenteral opioids are generally performed for patients after surgery. However opioids have undesirable adverse events such as nausea, vomiting, itching, sedation and respiratory depression (opioid-related adverse events). Various methods may be performed to reduce the use of systemic opioids and for effective pain treatment. US-guided interfascial plane blocks have been used increasily due to the advantages of ultrasound in anesthesia practice. Ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block (QLB) is a fascial plane block where local anesthetic is injected adjacent to the quadratus lumborum muscle with the goal of anesthetizing the thoracolumbar nerves. In TLIP block, local anesthetic solution is injected between the multifidus and logissimus muscles nearly at the level of the 3rd lumbar vertebra and targets the dorsal rami of the thoracolumbar nerves. Ahiskalioglu et al. defined modified-lateral technique of TLIP (mTLIP) block as a new approach. Ahiskalioglu et al. have reported that this approach has some advantages. Firstly, sonographic visualisation is more easily than the classical technique. Secondly, insertion of the needle from medial to lateral direction reduces the risk of possible neuraxial injection. It has been reported that this technique provides effective analgesia after lumbar spinal surgery. The aim of this study is to compare US-guided mTLIP block and QLB for postoperative analgesia management after lumbar disc herniation-laminectomy surgery.

Sixty patients aged 18-65 years old with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification I-II and scheduled for lumbar disc herniation surgery will be included in the study. Patients will be randomly divided into two groups (Group Q = QLB group, Group M = mTLIP group) including 30 patients each, before entering the operating room.

Patients will be administered paracetamol 1 gr IV every 8 hours in the postoperative period. Postoperative patient evaluation will be performed by a pain nurse blinded to the procedure. Tramodol will be performed for rescue analgesia.

Patients will be administered paracetamol 1 gr IV every 8 hours in the postoperative period. Postoperative patient evaluation will be performed by a pain nurse blinded to the procedure. Tramodol will be performed for rescue analgesia.

The block procedure will be applied after the surgery and before extubation with patients in the prone position by using US (Vivid Q, GE Healthcare, US). Under aseptic conditions, the probe will be covered with a sterile sheath and a 22G, 80 mm block needle (Braun Stimuplex Ultra 360, Germany) will be used. After visualizing the abdominal muscles, the needle will be punctured and 5 ml of saline will be injected into the postero-lateral border of the quadratus lumborum muscle. After the block location is confirmed, 15 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine will be injected. The same process will be applied to the opposite side (30 ml totally).

US probe will be placed vertically at the L3 vertebrae level. After visualizing the hyperechoic shadow of the spinous process and interspinous muscles as an anatomical guide point, the probe will be moved forward to the lateral to visualize the longissimus and iliocostal muscles. Between these muscles, block needle will be inserted within in plane technique in a medial-to-lateral direction in the interfascial plane. Once the needle tip will be placed within the interfacial plane and after careful aspiration to rule out intravascular needle placement, 2 mL of saline will be injected to confirm the proper injection site, and then a dose of 0.25% bupivacaine 15 mL will be injected in each side (30 ml totally).

This scoring system includes evaluating emotional state (12 questions), physical comfort (12 questions), psychological support (7 questions), physical independence (12 questions), and pain (7 questions).

Inclusion Criteria: American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification I-II Scheduled for lumbar disc herniation-laminectomy surgery under general anesthesia Exclusion Criteria: history of bleeding diathesis, receiving anticoagulant treatment, known local anesthetics and opioid allergy, infection of the skin at the site of the needle puncture, pregnancy or lactation, patients who do not accept the procedure

Elsharkawy H, El-Boghdadly K, Barrington M. Quadratus Lumborum Block: Anatomical Concepts, Mechanisms, and Techniques. Anesthesiology. 2019 Feb;130(2):322-335. doi: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000002524. No abstract available.

Ahiskalioglu A, Yayik AM, Alici HA. Ultrasound-guided lateral thoracolumbar interfascial plane (TLIP) block: Description of new modified technique. J Clin Anesth. 2017 Aug;40:62. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2017.04.015. No abstract available.