Randomized Control Trial of Quadratus Lumborum Block for Lumbar Spine Decompression and Fusion Surgery

June 24, 2020 updated by: Ely Ashkenazy, Assuta Medical Center

A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Evaluation Trial of the Benefit in Quadratus Lumborum Block as a Postoperative Analgesic Technique for a Lumbar Spine Decompression and Fusion Surgery

Lumbar spinal decompression and fusion is a commonly performed procedure fro neural impingement and back pain from a variety of pathologies. The importance of pain control in the postoperative period for spinal surgery has been discussed and proven extensively, with both immediate and delayed reduction in complications and improved clinical results.

Quadratus lumborum (QL) block was introduced in 2007 and is performed under ultrasound guidance for perioperative pain management in various surgeries.However, the plane for a posterior QL block can be easily reached during open midline spinal surgery.

The investigators hypothesize that the posterior QL block is an effective analgesic tool for lumbar laminectomy surgery, because in lumbar laminectomy the quadratus lumborum is already exposed and is in direct visual contact. For that reason it is imperative to test the benefits of this procedure.

This is a double blinded randomized control study to assess the results of intra-operative QL block performed for lumbar decompression and fusion.

Study Overview

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Spinal decompression is a surgical procedure that is performed to alleviate pain caused by pinched nerves (neural impingement). Surgical options for decompressing the lumbar spine vary from minimally invasive disc decompression to open laminectomy and foraminotomy. The lumbar spine decompression and fusion differs from a microdiscectomy in that the incision is longer and there is more muscle stripping. Lumbar spinal decompression is a commonly performed procedure and the conventional open techniques of decompression remain the gold standard of treatment.

During a lumbar decompression back surgery, a small portion of the bone over the nerve root and/or disc material from under the nerve root is removed to give the nerve root more space and provide a better healing environment. A lumbar spine decompression and fusion is typically performed to relieve the lumbar spinal stenosis symptoms. The goal of the surgery is to allow more space for the nerve root, thus reducing pain (and potentially any leg weakness or neurological symptoms) and restoring the patient's ability to participate in everyday activities[1].

Quadratus lumborum (QL) block was introduced in 2007 and is performed for perioperative pain management in various abdominal, pelvic, gynecological and hip procedures in all age groups[2]. Four types of QL block were described, differentiated by the exact location of the anesthetic injection. Type 1/lateral QL block is performed at the lateral border of the QL muscle, type 2/posterior QL block is performed at the medial edge of the QL muscle (at the border or the spine erector muscles and the thoraco-lumbar fascia), type 3/anterior is performed between the QL muscle and the psoas major and type 4 is intramuscular (see figure 1). In the majority of cases, these blocks are performed pre/post operatively under ultrasound guidance. There are sporadic reports of QL block performed for lumbar spinal surgery [3, 4].However, the plane for a type 2 QL block can be easily reached during open midline spinal surgery.

The importance of pain control in the postoperative period for spinal surgery has been discussed and proven extensively, with both immediate and delayed reduction in complications and improved clinical results [5, 6].

The investigators hypothesize that the type 2 QL block is an effective analgesic tool for lumbar laminectomy surgery, because in lumbar laminectomy the quadratus lumborum is already exposed and is in direct visual contact. For that reason it is imperative, in our opinion, to test its benefits of this procedure.

Study's objective:

To test the safety and efficacy of open quadratus lumborum block as an add-on postoperative analgesic technique for lumbar spine decompression and fusion.

Study design:

This is a pilot comparative study, double blind and placebo controlled . Patients scheduled for a lumbar spine decompression and fusion will be divided randomly into two groups of N=50 each. Subjects in both groups will receive an intra-operative exposure of the posterior QL block plane, with injection of long acting local anesthetic for group A and Saline for group B. Both groups will be monitored during their admission in the department for opioid dose administered, reported pain levels (NRS), narcotics side effects (delirium, urinary retention, falls) and general operative complications. Patient pain levels, satisfaction and general complications will be gathered during clinic follow up.

Methods:

Patients arriving to undergo lumbar spine decompression and fusion will be offered to participate in the study. They will receive a thorough explanation about the study and will sign an informed consent form. The division into each group will be done randomly on a one by one basis, by an operating room nurse. The scrubbed nurse will be exposed to the nature of the substance injected for its sterile preparation, however the surgeons will be blinded to it. Patients will be blinded to their study arm until the end of the study. The lumbar laminectomy (open decompression) procedure will be performed as usual:

  • First, the back is approached through a two-inch to five-inch long incision in the midline of the back, and the left and right back muscles (erector spinae) are dissected off the lamina on both sides and at multiple levels.
  • After the spine is approached, the lamina is removed (laminectomy), allowing visualization of the nerve roots.
  • The facet joints, which are directly over the nerve roots, may then be undercut (trimmed) to give the nerve roots more room.
  • Fusion will be performed with pedicular screws and rods and when indicated an interbody device.

Study group A will be given an analgesic injection into the quadratus lumborum, comprising of Marcaine 0.25% with normal saline (for a total of 20 ml per side). Study group B will receive an identical procedure, however with 20 ml normal saline alone per side. Time required to perform the block for both sides will be measured.

The postoperative regime will include a standardized pain protocol as is used in routine practice. all other operative or postoperative procedures are the same for both groups. Data will be collected from nurses and physical therapy as well as discharge notes. A standardized form for obtaining data will be used in clinic follow up at 2-3 weeks and 3-4 months.

Safety data collected:

A subjective report of each patient regarding any adverse events will be collected by the study nurse during their recovery. The surgeon will report at the end of each operation if there were any adverse events and level of difficulty administrating the injection on designated forms.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Anticipated)

100

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • Israel
      • Tel Aviv, Israel, 69710
        • The Israeli spine center, Assuta medical center
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 80 years (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Men and women at the ages of 18-80 suffering from leg + back pain or neurological claudication.
  • Undergoing an elective 1-3 level lumbar laminectomy & fusion at Assuta medical center.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Chronic narcotic treatment (more than 3 months)
  • Current active Infection.
  • Underwent any other major operation in the last two months.
  • Known hypersensitivity to local anaesthetic
  • Previous lumbar instrumentation (revision of decompression to decompression with fusion will be included)
  • Non Ambulatory patients

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: TREATMENT
  • Allocation: RANDOMIZED
  • Interventional Model: PARALLEL
  • Masking: TRIPLE

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
EXPERIMENTAL: Study group
Posterior QL block with 20-40 cc of Bupivocaine in posterior border of Quadratum Lumborum muscle at the end of the operation.
Procedure: Type 2/posterior Quadratus Lumborum block
Injection of local anaesthetic into posterior boundry of Quadratus Lumborum muscle.
PLACEBO_COMPARATOR: Placebo group
Posterior QL block with 40 cc of Saline in posterior border of Quadratum Lumborum muscle at the end of the operation.
Procedure: Placebo block with Saline
Injection of saline into posterior boundary of Quadratus Lumborum muscle.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in the use of post-operative narcotics
Time Frame: Will be reported for each postoperative day during the inpatient stay of the patient to a maximum of 7 days.
Difference in MME (morphine milligrams equivalent) of inpatient narcotics consumption.
Will be reported for each postoperative day during the inpatient stay of the patient to a maximum of 7 days.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Assuta Medical Center

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Ely Ashkenazy, MD, Neurosurgeon, Assuta medical center

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (ANTICIPATED)

June 1, 2020

Primary Completion (ANTICIPATED)

May 1, 2021

Study Completion (ANTICIPATED)

August 1, 2021

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 20, 2020

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 24, 2020

First Posted (ACTUAL)

June 25, 2020

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (ACTUAL)

June 25, 2020

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 24, 2020

Last Verified

June 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 0012-20

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

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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