Randomized Control Trial of Quadratus Lumborum Block for Lumbar Spine Decompression and Fusion Surgery

Lumbar spinal decompression and fusion is a commonly performed procedure fro neural impingement and back pain from a variety of pathologies. The importance of pain control in the postoperative period for spinal surgery has been discussed and proven extensively, with both immediate and delayed reduction in complications and improved clinical results. Quadratus lumborum (QL) block was introduced in 2007 and is performed under ultrasound guidance for perioperative pain management in various surgeries.However, the plane for a posterior QL block can be easily reached during open midline spinal surgery. The investigators hypothesize that the posterior QL block is an effective analgesic tool for lumbar laminectomy surgery, because in lumbar laminectomy the quadratus lumborum is already exposed and is in direct visual contact. For that reason it is imperative to test the benefits of this procedure. This is a double blinded randomized control study to assess the results of intra-operative QL block performed for lumbar decompression and fusion.