QLB and Radical Cystectomy, Postoperative Pain (BladderQLB)

Comparing Two Different Analgesic Block Methods for Postoperative Pain and Recovery After Surgery -Quadratus Lumborum Block (QLB): the Effect on Peri- and Postoperative Pain and Recovery After Radical Cystectomy

There are ca 1000 new cases of bladder cancer in Finland/year. The curative therapy for high risk bladder cancer is radical cystectomy. The golden standard is still an open surgery despite development of laparoscopic techniques. Epidural analgesia is considered as most effective for the treatment of postoperative pain. However, there is a need for other effective options, because epidural analgesia has some contraindications and risks for serious complications. Recently quadratus lumborum block has gained popularity in the treatment of postoperative pain after various surgeries in the area from hip to mamilla. It is more beneficial than other peripheral blocks, since it covers also the visceral nerves. Contrary to the need of epidural catether a single shot QLB has reported to last up to 48 hours.

Inadequately treated acute postoperative pain is considered as one of the main risk factors for persistent postoperative pain.

44 patients aging 18-85 will be recruited based on a power calculation. The primary outcome measure is the acute postoperative need for rescue analgesics. Secondary outcomes are acute pain (NRS scale), nausea, vomiting, mobilisation and longterm outcomes such as quality of life and persistent pain.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Postoperative Pain; Nausea and Vomiting, Postoperative; Chronic Pain Post-Proceduraal
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: QLB

Detailed Description

44 patients, uindergoing radical cystectomy, aging 18-85 will be recruited based on a power calculation. The 44 patients will be divided in 2 groups, the intervention group receiving a quadratus lumborum block (75mg ropivacaine) and the no intervention group receiving the current standard care of our hospital -an epidural.

The primary outcome measure is the acute postoperative need for rescue analgesics. Secondary outcomes are acute pain (NRS scale), nausea, vomiting, mobilisation and longterm outcomes such as quality of life and persistent pain.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 41
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Finland
  • Tampere, Finland, 33521
    • Tampere University Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 16 years to 83 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients with bladder cancer coming to the open radical cystectomy.

Exclusion Criteria:

• age under 18y or over 85y,
• diabetes type 1 with complications,
• no co-operation or inadequate finnish language,
• persistent pain for other reason.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Quadratus lumborum block; Single shot bilateral QLB, ropivacaine 75 mg (20 mL) per side, placed under ultrasound control, at the end of surgery. 22 patients will be allocated in this group.	Procedure: QLB; bilateral single shot block, placed under ultrasound control between the thoracolumbar fascial structures close to the quadratus lumborum muscle; Other Names: quadratus lumborum block
No Intervention: Epidural; Epidural catheter (placed before anesthesia induction), ropivacaine 75 mg in 50 mL isotonic saline (1,5 mg/mL), induction bolus after surgery 1 mL/10 kg ideal weight and there on continuous infusion 2-8 mL/h according to analgesic need. 22 patients will be allocated in this group. This is the current standard for postoperative pain relief in cystectomy patients in our hospital

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
opiate consumption	intravenous patient controlled analgesia	24 hours

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
pain score	numerical rating scale	7 days
postoperative nausea and vomiting	numerical rating scale and amount of vomites	72 hours
mobilisation	standing up and mobilizing	72 hours after surgery
quality of life	SF 36	12 months
persistent pain	paindetect McGill	12 months
functional query	assessment how pain in operation region limits daily functions	12 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Tampere University Hospital
• Investigators: Study Director: Maija-Liisa Kalliomaki, PhD, Tampere University Hospital, Department of Anesthesia

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• 1. Finnish Cancer Registry. Cancer in Finland 2007-2011. Cancer Society of Finland Publication, Helsinki. 2. Witjes AJ, Lebret T, Comperat EM et al. Eur Urol. 2016 Jun 30 . 3. Azhar RA, Bochner B, Catto J et al. Eur Urol. 2016; 70: 176-187. 4. Voldby AW, Brandstrup B. Journal of Intensive Care 2016; 4:27. 5. Rawal N. Eur J Anae sthesiol 2016; 33:160 - 171 6. Kehlet H, Jensen TS, Woolf CJ . Lancet. 2006 May 13;367(9522):1618- 25 7. Gordon DB, de Leon-Casasola OA, Wu CL, ET AL. The Journal of Pain 2016; 17(2): 158-166. 8. Chou R, Gordon DB, de Leon-Casasola OA, ET AL. The Journal of Pain 2016;17(2):131-157 9. Gustavsson A., Bjorkman J., Ljungcrantz C., ET AL. Eur J Pain 2012:16 ; 289 - 299 10. Breivik H, Bang U, Jalonen J, ET AL Acta Anesthesiol Scand 20 10; 54: 16- 41. 11. Davies RG, Myles PS, Graham JM Br J Anaesth. 2006 Apr;96(4):418-26. 13. 12. Murouchi T, Iwasaki S, Yamakage M. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2016;41:146 - 150. 13. Carney J, Finnerty O, Rauf J, ET AL. Anaesthesia. 2011;66:1023 - 30. 14. Blanco R, Ansari T, Riad W, Shetty N. Reg Anest Pain Med: Nov/Dec 2016 - vol 41 - p 757- 767. 15. Kenneth F Schulz, , Douglas G Altman, David Moher, BMJ 2010;340:c332 16. http://www.consort-statement.org

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 27, 2017
• Primary Completion (Actual): August 31, 2020
• Study Completion (Actual): August 31, 2021

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 5, 2017
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 31, 2017
• First Posted (Actual): November 1, 2017

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 4, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 3, 2022
• Last Verified: January 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: bladder cancer; epidural analgesia; postoperative pain; quadratus lumborum block; radical cystectomy
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Postoperative Complications; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms, Digestive; Nausea; Pain, Postoperative; Vomiting; Chronic Pain; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting
• Other Study ID Numbers: R17008

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No