Quadratus Lumborum Block Versus Dual Transversus Abdominis Plane and Ilioinguinal/Iliohypogastric Nerve Blocks for Postoperative Analgesia Following Total Abdominal Hysterectomy

Multimodal pain management program is needed to control severe pain after abdominal hysterectomy which is considered as one of the major abdominal surgeries. Opioids (which are the analgesic of choice) have many adverse effects such as sedation, nausea, and vomiting. Hence, different methods are needed to control pain and decrease opioid consumption and its side effects. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block blocks the sensory afferent nerves run between the abdominal muscles and controls postoperative incisional pain. Blanco was the first who described the quadratus lumborum block (QLB). Somatic pain after upper and lower abdominal surgery can be controlled by QLB. QLB can be performed for all generations (adult, pediatrics, and pregnant). QLB is considered to be an easy technique to learn as it is easy to get the key sonoanatomic markers for QLB. The novice can learn this block after only a few performance of the procedure. QLB produces effective postoperative analgesia after abdominal surgery, laparoscopic surgery, anterior abdominal wall surgery, and hip and femur surgery. The analgesic effect of QLB covers 24-48 h. While some authors inserted catheter for continuous infusion of the local anesthetic drug to extend the duration of postoperative analgesia, others added dexamethasone to local anesthetic to extend the effect of local anesthetic drugs. Ultrasound (US)-guided Ilioinguinal and Iliohypogastric nerve and TAP block have been established as analgesic adjuncts for post hernia repair pain management, under general anaesthesia, neuraxial, MAC and infiltration techniques. US-guided technique of blocking Ilioinguinal and Iliohypogastric nerves have higher success rate compared to conventional technique. TAP block provides analgesia to the parietal peritoneum and skin of the abdomen in infra-umbilical surgeries. Few cadaveric studies showed good analgesic effect in the region between T10 and L1 following a single posterior TAP injection.