Unilateral subcostal anterior quadratus lumborum block versus intrathecal morphine for postoperative pain in laparoscopic nephrectomy: a randomized controlled trial
Primary resultResult — go to the resultMedian difference 9.5 mg 95% CI 7–12Authors' conclusion
Although designed as a non-inferiority trial, anterior subcostal QL block did not meet the threshold.
Study context
- Population
- Adults undergoing elective laparoscopic nephrectomy
- Participants
- 80 adults
- Comparison
- Unilateral anterior subcostal quadratus lumborum (QL) block vs intrathecal morphine (ITM)
- Primary endpoint
- Cumulative IV morphine milligram equivalent (MME)
- Follow-up
- 24 hours
Methodological detailssingle-centre, observer-blinded, non-inferiority
- Single-centre
- Observer-blinded
- Non-inferiority
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Median difference
9.5 mg
95% CI 7–12
P < 0.001
Anterior subcostal QL block vs ITM
median difference 9.5 mg (95% CI 7–12); P < 0.001
Further findings
Median
| Outcome | Anterior subcostal QL block | ITM | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patient satisfaction · 24 hours | 75.5 (IQR 58–100) | 108 (IQR 102.25–113.5) | |
| Patient satisfaction · discharge | 94 (IQR 77–110) | 117 (IQR 115–123.75) | P < 0.001 |
Pain scores
- Lower pain scores with ITM
Safety
30-day complications (Clavien-Dindo, Comprehensive Complication Index)
- No between-group differences
Adverse effects (nausea, pruritus, respiratory events)
- Comparable
Original publication
Unilateral subcostal anterior quadratus lumborum block versus intrathecal morphine for postoperative pain in laparoscopic nephrectomy: a randomized controlled trial. Reg Anesth Pain Med. Published 10 July 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →