Analgesic Efficacy of Erector Spine Plane Versus Posterior Quadrate Lumbar Block for Ambulatory Abdominal Surgery in Pediatrics: a Prospective Observational Study

Study Objective: Our hypothesis is that ESP block is equal or superior in providing analgesia than the posterior QL block in abdominal surgery in ambulatory surgery.Design: Prospective observational study comparing the analgesic efficacy of ESP block and QLII block for abdominal surgery in pediatrics.Patients: A total of 20 patients undergoing ambulatory abdominal surgery (urology and general surgery), ASAI-II, age between 6 months and 14years old within March-April 2018, under general anesthesia were included.All participants were randomized to receive an erector spinae or quadratus lumborum block prior to the procedure.Measurements: Perioperative opioid consumption, use of non-opiate analgesia and pain scores were measured.Intraoperative hemodynamics (blood pressure and heart rate and pulse oximetry) as well as presence of adverse events or postoperative complications (nausea or vomiting, respiratory depression and sedation) were documented.Main Results: In both groups the majority of patients reported mild or no pain in the first 24hs with no pain after 24 h.Only 3 patients (15%) in the ESP group and 2 (10%) in the QLII group required rescue analgesia postoperatively.Hemodynamic stability was maintained in both groups.No complications were reported.Conclusions: This study supports the analgesic efficacy and hemodynamic stability with ESP and QL blocks in the ambulatory setting in children.The superficiality of the needle end point in both techniques makes them a safe alternative in pediatrics.