Postoperative Analgesic Effects of Anterior Quadratus Lumborum Block vs Intravenous Analgesics Administered to Donors and Recipients in Renal Transplantation Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND Among the limited analgesic options, plane blocks are of great importance in providing effective postoperative analgesia to donors and recipients in renal transplantation surgery. We aimed to demonstrate that anterior type quadratus lumborum plane block provides better analgesia than intravenous paracetamol in open and closed nephrectomy patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS We conducted a prospective cohort study. Renal recipients and donors were divided into 2 groups. One group received anterior quadratus lumborum plane block and the other group received intravenous paracetamol. Pain levels and total tramadol consumption at 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively were recorded as primary data. RESULTS Demographic data of donors and recipients were similar between the QLB and IVA groups, and there was no significant difference in the time spent for surgery, anesthesia, or hospitalization. In renal donors, we found that total tramadol consumption and pain scores of the quadratus lumborum block group were significantly lower than in the intravenous analgesia group (P<0.001). In renal recipients, we found that postoperative tramadol consumption and pain levels of the quadratus lumborum block group were significantly lower than in the intravenous analgesia group (P<0.001). Additionally, the duration of rescue analgesic requirement was significantly shorter in renal recipients and donors who underwent quadratus lumborum plane block compared to the intravenous analgesic group (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The anterior type quadratus lumborum plane block provides effective analgesia to recipients and donors in renal transplantation surgery and reduces postoperative opioid consumption.