Anterior quadratus lumborum catheters for elective cesarean section: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Christian K. Hansen
  • Gudny E. Steingrimsdottir
  • Mette Dam
  • Martin V. Nielsen
  • Katrine Tanggaard
  • Troels D. Poulsen
  • Morten Lebech
  • Neimann, Jens Dupont Børglum

Background: Optimizing pain management following cesarean section is crucial for the well-being of both mother and infant. Various types of quadratus lumborum blocks have exhibited reduced opioid consumption and pain scores after cesarean section. However, duration of block effect is relatively short. The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic efficacy of the anterior quadratus lumborum catheters for cesarean section. Methods: All 32 enrolled participants were allocated to postoperative bilateral ultrasound-guided anterior quadratus lumborum catheter placement with injection of 60 mL ropivacaine 0.375% after cesarean section. Randomization at 2 h resulted in either 60 mL ropivacaine 0.2% or 60 mL isotonic saline injected through the catheters, with subsequent 22-h infusion of either ropivacaine 0.2% or isotonic saline with an infusion rate of 4 mL h−1 per catheter. Participants in the active group received a total of 697 mg ropivacaine during the first 24 h. All participants received the standard postoperative multimodal pain regimen, and a final bilateral injection at 24-h post-catheter placement of 60 mL ropivacaine 0.375% in total. The primary outcome was time to first opioid administration. Secondary outcomes were pain scores, time to first ambulation, nausea and vomiting, accumulated opioid consumption, and catheter displacement rates. Results: No significant intergroup differences were observed following the randomized intervention. Median time to first opioid (IQR) was (active vs. placebo) 414 (283, 597) vs. 428 (245, 552) minutes, with a median difference (CI) of −14 (−184 to 262) min, p =.32. Conclusion: Bilateral anterior quadratus lumborum catheters with continuous infusion did not prolong time to first opioid after elective cesarean section.

Original languageEnglish
JournalActa Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
Volume68
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)254-262
Number of pages9
ISSN0001-5172
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation.

    Research areas

  • anterior quadratus lumborum, cesarean section, multimodal anesthesia, nerve catheter, regional anesthesia, transmuscular quadratus lumborum

ID: 380293072