To evaluate the effect of quadratus lumborum block on the tramadol sparing effect in patients undergoing open inguinal hernia surgery: A randomised controlled trial.

Objective: An ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum (QL) block provides both somatic and visceral analgesia in abdominal surgeries. We aimed to evaluate the postoperative tramadol sparing effect of single-shot anterior QL block in inguinal hernia surgery patients.

Methods: This prospective, randomised controlled trial was conducted in a single tertiary care centre over a period of 1 year. A total of 50 patients, American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-II of both sexes aged 18-80 years with body mass index (BMI) ≥20 to ≤35 kg/m2 undergoing uncomplicated unilateral inguinal hernia surgery under spinal anaesthesia (SA) were randomly allocated to either of the two groups. The block group (n = 25) received single-shot anterior QL block with 20 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine and the control group (n = 25) received no block. Postoperatively, patients received intravenous (IV) paracetamol 1g every 6 h and tramadol patient-controlled analgesia up to 24 h. Primary outcome was total tramadol consumption at 24 h postoperatively.

Results: The total tramadol consumption mean ± SD [95% CI (range)] at 24 h in the block group was 84.00 ± 37.86 [68.37-99.63 (20-160)] mg versus 93.60 ± 34.99 [79.16-108.04 (20-160)] mg in control group, (p value = 0.36). Postoperative VAS score, haemodynamics, and patient satisfaction score were similar in both the groups. No adverse events were reported.

Conclusions: A single-shot anterior QL block did not establish a postoperative tramadol-sparing effect at 24 h as compared to no block in patients undergoing inguinal hernia surgery under SA.