Comparison of the postoperative analgesic effect of transversus abdominis plan block and quadratus lumborum block: A prospective randomized study

Abstract Background and Aims In this study, we aimed to compare the transversus abdominis plan block (TAP) and quadratus lumborum block (QL) efficacy for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing varicocelectomy under spinal anesthesia. Methods American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) 1 and 2 patients, aged 18–45 years, who underwent varicocelectomy operation under elective conditions, were included. Eighty patients were divided into three groups as TAP group, QL group, and control group by prospective randomization. The patients were operated under spinal anesthesia. At the end of the operation, TAP was applied to the TAP group with a posterior approach using ultrasound (USG) in the supine position. To the QL group, the patient was placed in the lateral decubitus position and the lateral QL was applied via USG. No block type was applied to the control group. Patient‐controlled analgesia (PCA) device containing tramadol was administered intravenously at the end of the surgery in all groups. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was questioned at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 18, 24 h in the follow‐up of the patients. Intravenous 1 g paracetamol was given over VAS 4. PCA usage time and usage amounts were recorded. Results As a result of comparing the groups according to the VAS scores at all hours were significantly different between the three groups (p 0.05). Conclusion TAP and QL, which are administered to evaluate the effectiveness of postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing varicocelectomy under spinal anesthesia, are both effective in reducing pain scores and the amount of analgesia consumption.