Postoperative Pain Relief After Cesarean Section: Is There a Role for the Quadratus Lumborum Block?

The Quadratus Lumborum block (QLB) was first described by Blanco in 2007. The main advantage of QLB compared to the Transversus Abdominis Plane block (TAP) is the extension of local anesthetic agent beyond the TAP plane to the thoracic paravertebral space. The wider spread of the local anesthetic agents produces extensive analgesia and prolonged action of the injected local anesthetic solution. Previous studies showed that TAP block may not be effective in improving postoperative analgesia in patients who had cesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. The aim of this randomised controlled, double blinded study is to examine the effect of QLB on the postoperative pain management in patients who had cesarean section under spinal anesthesia.