Ultrasound-Guided Quadratus Lumborum Block Versus Caudal Block for Perioperative

Quadratus lumborum block is an effective truncal block for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing abdominal surgeries. We aimed to compare the analgesic efficacy of caudal block versus ultrasonography-guided quadratus lumborum block in pediatric patients undergoing open pyeloplasty. Fifty patients weighing ≤ 16 kg (age ≤ 4 years) with ASA physical status I-II scheduled for elective open pyeloplasty under general anesthesia were randomized into caudal block or transmuscular quadratus lumborum block groups. Fifty patients were included in the analysis. The mean duration of postoperative analgesia in the caudal group was 6.85 ± 1.99 hr, and for the quadratus lumborum block group it was 11.27 ± 3.74 hr (P < .001). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of perioperative fentanyl requirement. However, there was a significant difference in postoperative paracetamol requirement between the groups (P = .005). There was a significant difference in postoperative pain score between the groups at 30 min, 1 hr, 1.5 hr, 2 hr, 8 hr, and 24 hr (P < .05). Mean heart rate and mean arterial pressure were comparable. No complications were recorded. Quadratus lumborum block was more effective than caudal block in terms of duration of postoperative analgesia and postoperative analgesic consumption.