Quadratus Lumborum (QL Block)
摘要
The Quadratus Lumborum Block (QLB) is an advanced regional anaesthesia technique that provides somatic and visceral analgesia for abdominal and lower limb surgeries. It is a modification of the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and targets the quadratus lumborum muscle enclosed by the thoracolumbar fascia. This fascia facilitates the spread of local anaesthetic, potentially extending to the paravertebral space and blocking the sympathetic trunk. QLB is indicated for various procedures, including caesarean sections, nephrectomies, bowel resections, and hernia repairs. There are four primary approaches: lateral (QLB 1), posterior (QLB 2), transmuscular (QLB 3), and intramuscular (QLB 4). Ultrasound guidance enhances accuracy and safety, minimising risks such as visceral injury and local anaesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST). Compared to TAP blocks, QLB provides longer-lasting and more extensive analgesia. However, anterior QLB (QLB 3) carries a higher risk of motor weakness due to lumbar nerve involvement. Continuous catheter techniques can prolong analgesia, particularly for extensive abdominal surgeries. Despite its benefits, QLB requires expertise and careful patient selection to avoid complications such as bleeding, bowel injury, and inadvertent motor blockade.