TAP vs QLB in Patients After Cesarean Delivery

Postoperative Analgesia With Transversus Abdominis Plane Block or Quadratus Lumborum Block in Patients After Cesarian Delivery

Comparison of two types of analgesia after cesarean section All patients will be anesthetized with spinal technique. Ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane or quadratus lumborum block to treat postoperative pain. Postoperative pain will be measured with visual-analog scale (VAS). 1, 2, 6 months after surgery each patient will be called to assess neuropathic pain with Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI).

Written consent will be obtained before the cesarean section. Only subarachnoidally anesthetized patients may participate in the study. Pencil-point spinal needle and bupivacaine (Marcaine Heavy Spinal 0.5 %) will be used. At the end of surgery ultrasound-guided regional block will be performed. Each patient will be randomly allocated to one of the treated group: transversus abdominis plane block (TAP) or quadratus lumborum (QL). Patients receive 0.2 mL of local anesthetic solution (0.375 % ropivacaine) on each side. Postoperative pain will be measured with VAS (visual-analog scale) 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours after the end of the operation. Paracetamol, metamizole, ketoprofen may be given as required. Whenever pain exceeds 40 (VAS) 5 mg of morphine will be given intravenously (maximum two dosages per day). 1, 3, 6 months patients will be called to assess neuropathic pain. Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI) will be used.

the ultrasound-guided regional block of abdominal wall muscles to treat acute postoperative pain. Stimuplex Ultra 360 needle will be used and 0.375% ropivacaine administered (0.2 mL/kg).

the ultrasound-guided regional block of abdominal wall muscles to treat acute pain, similar to transversus abdominis plane block, but with a distribution of local anesthetic towards paravertebral space. Stimuplex Ultra 360 needle will be used and 0.25% bupivacaine administered (0.2 mL/kg).

Acute pain measured with VAS (visual-analogue scale). VAS in milimmeters. Minimum value 0, maximum 100. Less better - less severe pain. 0 no pain at all.

Neuropathic pain occurrence assessed with Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI) 10 descriptive variables, each one from 0 to 10. 0 means no pain. 10 very high chance of occurrence of neuropathic pain.

Inclusion Criteria: obtained consent singleton pregnancy subarachnoid anesthesia Exclusion Criteria: coagulopathy allergy to local anesthetics depression, antidepressant drugs treatment epilepsy usage of painkiller before surgery addiction to alcohol or recreational drugs