Erector Spinae Plane Block vs Quadratus Lumborum Block for Laparoscopic Nephrectomy

NCT ID: NCT06298227

Last Updated: 2025-12-24

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-03-11

Study Completion Date

2026-03-30

Brief Summary

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Ultrasound (US) guided Quadratus Lumborum Block (QLB) is performed at the level of the 12th rib, in the parasagittal oblique plane, at the L1-L2 level. As there are modifications of the block generally local anesthetic is given between quadratus lumborum (QL) and psoas major (PM) muscles (Anterior QLB). The QLB provides a sensory block between T7 - L1. Therefore, QLBs are used to provide postoperative analgesia for abdominal, obstetric, gynecologic, and urologic surgeries.

US-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is performed at the level of the T11 transverse process. After visualization of the erector spinae (ES) muscle and the transverse process, local anesthetic is injected under the ES muscle. ESPB provides a sensory block of the anterior, posterior, and lateral thoracic and abdominal walls accordingly it's used for postoperative analgesia after thoracal wall repairs, thoracotomies, percutaneous nephrolithotomies, nephrectomies, and ventral hernia repairs.

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of US-guided ESPB and QLB on postoperative pain control after laparoscopic nephrectomy.

Detailed Description

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Nephrectomy for renal transplantation is a commonly performed procedure. The laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (LLDN) is associated with many benefits and has become the gold standard for kidney retrieval surgery. As compared to open donor nephrectomy (ODN), LLDN has been shown to have less post-operative pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery. Even though LLDN is less traumatic, some patients undergoing laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy still suffer significant postoperative pain require parenteral opioids, and have a risk for chronic pain.

The postoperative pain mechanism of LLDN is multifactorial - port pain, pain caused by incisions to retrieve the kidney, pelvic organ nociception, diaphragmatic irritation, and discomfort of a urinary catheter. Opioids, epidural anesthesia, Transversus Abdominal Plane (TAP) Block, and local infiltration of local anesthetics are used to prevent postoperative pain after LLDN.

In this study, the investigators aim to compare the effectiveness of US-guided ESPB and QLB on postoperative pain control after laparoscopic nephrectomy.

Conditions

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Kidney Diseases Kidney Failure

Keywords

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Laparoscopic nephrectomy Postoperative pain management Erector spinae plane block Quadratus lumborum block

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

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

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors
Outcomes assessor and participants will be blinded to the study

Study Groups

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Group ESPB = Erector spinae plane block group

ESPB will be performed

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Postoperative analgesia management with Paracerol® and IV PCA with Talinat®

Intervention Type OTHER

In the postoperative period, 1 g of acetaminophen (Paracerol®) will be administered intravenously to patients every 8 hours. Patients in all groups will have IV patient-controlled analgesia (PCA- CADD-Solis®) containing 10 mcg/ml fentanyl ( Talinat®). 10 mcg bolus without infusion dose, 20-minute lock time will be the protocol. Postoperative patient evaluation will be performed by another anesthesiologist. If the NRS score is ≥ 4, 0.5 mg/kg IV meperidine (Aldolan®) will be administered as a rescue analgesic.

Erector spinae plane block

Intervention Type OTHER

The block will be applied while the patient is in the lateral decubitus position. The convex probe of US ( GE Healthcare®) will be placed longitudinally 4 cm lateral to the T11 transverse process. The erector spinae muscle and the hyperechoic transverse process will be visualized. Using the in-plane technique, the 100 mm block needle (Stimuplex 360®) will be advanced in the cranio-caudal direction and 5 ml of saline will be injected under the erector spinae muscle to confirm the block location. Once the block location is confirmed, 40 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine (Marcaine®) will be administered.

Group QLB = Quadratus lumborum block group

QLB will be performed

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Postoperative analgesia management with Paracerol® and IV PCA with Talinat®

Intervention Type OTHER

In the postoperative period, 1 g of acetaminophen (Paracerol®) will be administered intravenously to patients every 8 hours. Patients in all groups will have IV patient-controlled analgesia (PCA- CADD-Solis®) containing 10 mcg/ml fentanyl ( Talinat®). 10 mcg bolus without infusion dose, 20-minute lock time will be the protocol. Postoperative patient evaluation will be performed by another anesthesiologist. If the NRS score is ≥ 4, 0.5 mg/kg IV meperidine (Aldolan®) will be administered as a rescue analgesic.

Quadratus lumborum plane block

Intervention Type OTHER

QLB will be performed with the patient in the lateral decubitus position. The convex probe of US ( GE Healthcare®) will be placed at the level of the 12th rib, just above the iliac crest, in the parasagittal oblique plane, at the L1-L2 level. After the quadratus lumborum, erector spinae, and psoas major muscles are visualized, a 100 mm block needle (Stimuplex 360®) will be advanced in-plane anteriorly to QL, and the needle tip will be brought between the QL and PM muscles (Anterior QLB). The location will be confirmed by hydraulic dissection with 5 ml saline injection. After the block location is confirmed, 40 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine (Marcaine®) will be administered.

Interventions

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Postoperative analgesia management with Paracerol® and IV PCA with Talinat®

In the postoperative period, 1 g of acetaminophen (Paracerol®) will be administered intravenously to patients every 8 hours. Patients in all groups will have IV patient-controlled analgesia (PCA- CADD-Solis®) containing 10 mcg/ml fentanyl ( Talinat®). 10 mcg bolus without infusion dose, 20-minute lock time will be the protocol. Postoperative patient evaluation will be performed by another anesthesiologist. If the NRS score is ≥ 4, 0.5 mg/kg IV meperidine (Aldolan®) will be administered as a rescue analgesic.

Intervention Type OTHER

Erector spinae plane block

The block will be applied while the patient is in the lateral decubitus position. The convex probe of US ( GE Healthcare®) will be placed longitudinally 4 cm lateral to the T11 transverse process. The erector spinae muscle and the hyperechoic transverse process will be visualized. Using the in-plane technique, the 100 mm block needle (Stimuplex 360®) will be advanced in the cranio-caudal direction and 5 ml of saline will be injected under the erector spinae muscle to confirm the block location. Once the block location is confirmed, 40 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine (Marcaine®) will be administered.

Intervention Type OTHER

Quadratus lumborum plane block

QLB will be performed with the patient in the lateral decubitus position. The convex probe of US ( GE Healthcare®) will be placed at the level of the 12th rib, just above the iliac crest, in the parasagittal oblique plane, at the L1-L2 level. After the quadratus lumborum, erector spinae, and psoas major muscles are visualized, a 100 mm block needle (Stimuplex 360®) will be advanced in-plane anteriorly to QL, and the needle tip will be brought between the QL and PM muscles (Anterior QLB). The location will be confirmed by hydraulic dissection with 5 ml saline injection. After the block location is confirmed, 40 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine (Marcaine®) will be administered.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification I-II
* Scheduled for living donor laparoscopic nephrectomy 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 refuse the procedure or participation in the study
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Istanbul Medipol University Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Ayse Ince

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Istanbul Medipol University Mega Hospital Complex

Istanbul, Bağcılar, Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Turkey (Türkiye)

Central Contacts

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Ayşe İnce, Assist Prof, MD

Role: CONTACT

Phone: +905366774988

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

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Ayşe İnce, Assist Prof

Role: primary

References

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Elsharkawy H, Ahuja S, Sessler DI, Maheshwari K, Mao G, Sakr Esa WA, Soliman LM, Ayad S, Khoshknabi D, Khan MZ, Raza S, DeGrande S, Turan A. Subcostal Anterior Quadratus Lumborum Block Versus Epidural Block for Analgesia in Open Nephrectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Anesth Analg. 2021 Apr 1;132(4):1138-1145. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000005382.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33617181 (View on PubMed)

Alvi AS, Nasir JA, Nizam MA, Hamdani MM, Bhangar NA, Sibtain SA, Lalani AS, Warle MC. Quadratus lumborum block and transversus abdominis plane block in laparoscopic nephrectomy: a meta-analysis. Pain Manag. 2023 Sep;13(9):555-567. doi: 10.2217/pmt-2023-0033. Epub 2023 Sep 18.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 37718911 (View on PubMed)

Wang J, Chu T, Sun R, Xu A. Analgesic Efficacy of Quadratus Lumborum Block in Patients Undergoing Nephrectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pain Med. 2023 May 2;24(5):476-487. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnac166.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36321993 (View on PubMed)

Sahin A, Baran O. Effect of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block on post-surgical pain in patients undergoing nephrectomy: a single-center, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. J Int Med Res. 2022 Mar;50(3):3000605221086737. doi: 10.1177/03000605221086737.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 35301896 (View on PubMed)

Fan Q, Liu H, Li Y, Dai H, Wang Y. Comparison of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block and thoracic paravertebral block for postoperative analgesia after laparoscopic nephrectomy: a randomized controlled non-inferiority clinical trial. Minerva Anestesiol. 2023 Jun;89(6):520-528. doi: 10.23736/S0375-9393.22.16794-5. Epub 2023 Jan 24.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36692339 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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Medipol Hospital 1

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id