Posterior quadratus lumborum block or lumbar erector spinae plane block for postoperative analgesia management after lumbar spinal surgery: a randomized controlled trial


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ÇETİNKAL A., Topgül T. B., FİDAN U., ÖZBEK M. A., Gölboyu B. E., Tör I. H., ...Daha Fazla

European Spine Journal, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s00586-026-10079-z
  • Dergi Adı: European Spine Journal
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Pharma Collection (ProQuest)
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Lumbar erector spinae plane block, Lumbar spine surgery, Microdiscectomy, Posterior quadratus lumborum block, Postoperative analgesia management
  • Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
  • İstanbul Medipol Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Purpose: Postoperative pain after lumbar microdiscectomy (MD) can be significant. While both the lumbar erector spinae plane block (L-ESPB) and the posterior quadratus lumborum block (P-QLB) are used for analgesia, they have not been directly compared. We hypothesized that L-ESPB and P-QLB would provide different levels of analgesia after MD. Methods: This single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial included 60 adult patients (ASA I-II) undergoing unilateral single-level lumbar MD. Patients were randomized to receive a bilateral, postoperative L-ESPB (n = 30) or P-QLB (n = 30) with 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine per side. The primary outcome was the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) pain score at 2 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included NRS pain scores over 24 h, rescue analgesia requirements, and adverse events. Results: Patients in the L-ESPB group had statistically lower static and dynamic NRS pain scores at all measured time points (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 h) compared to the P-QLB group (p = 0.001). The number of patients requiring rescue analgesia was lower in the L-ESPB group (1 vs. 9 patients, p = 0.012), and the total tramadol consumption was also lower (p = 0.005). The incidence of nausea and itching was significantly lower in the L-ESPB group. One patient in the L-ESPB group experienced a temporary motor block. Conclusion: In patients undergoing lumbar MD, L-ESPB provided superior analgesia and resulted in lower opioid consumption and fewer opioid-related side effects compared to P-QLB over the first 24 postoperative hours.