J Clin Med Res

Journal of Clinical Medicine Research, ISSN 1918-3003 print, 1918-3011 online, Open Access

Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, J Clin Med Res and Elmer Press Inc

Journal website https://www.jocmr.org

Short Communication

Volume 14, Number 10, October 2022, pages 425-431

Preliminary Experience With Quadratus Lumborum Catheters for Postoperative Pain Management in Pediatric-Aged Patients With Contraindications to Epidural Anesthesia

Figure 1. Postoperative pain scores (a) using a 0 - 10 visual analogue score and opioid requirements (b) expressed as oral MMEs. MME: morphine milligram equivalent. Data are listed as median and interquartile ranges.

**Table 1.** Demographic Data of the Study Cohort
Demographic or catheter data	Entire cohort	Patient 1	Patient 2	Patient 3	Patient 4	Patient 5	Patient 6	Patient 7	Patient 8
Data are listed as the number, mean ± SD or median (IQR). ICU: intensive care unit; BMI: body mass index; QL: quadratus lumborum; SD: standard deviation; IQR: interquartile range.
Gender (male/female)	2/6	Female	Female	Male	Female	Female	Female	Female	Male
Age (years)	11.8 (7.5, 14.8)	19.5	9.1	15	11.6	2.8	1.1	14.8	11.9
Weight (kg)	41.3 ± 31.9	106	21.9	67	34	14	8.1	37.2	42.2
Height (cm)	129.6 ± 34.7	172.2	115	164.2	141.4	92.4	71	137	143.6
BMI (kg/m²)	20.9 ± 6.7	35.7	16.6	24.9	17	16.4	16.1	19.8	20.5
ICU admission	Yes (3), no (5)	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	No
Time in ICU (h)	15.1 (15.0, 18.9)	22.7	15	-	15.1	-	-	-	-
QL block laterality	Bilateral (6), unilateral (2)	Bilateral	Bilateral	Bilateral	Bilateral	Bilateral	Unilateral	Bilateral	Unilateral
Initial bolus (0.5% or 0.2% ropivacaine)	0.5% (4), 0.2% (4)	0.5%	0.2%	0.5%	0.5%	0.2%	0.2%	0.2%	0.5%
QL block success	8 (100%)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Early removal of catheter due to catheter disconnect	Yes (2)	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No
Initial infusion rate (mL/kg/h)	0.11 (0.06, 0.16)	0.06	0.09	0.04	0.06	0.21	0.37	0.12	0.14

Table 1. Demographic Data of the Study Cohort

Demographic or catheter data

Entire cohort

Patient 1

Patient 2

Patient 3

Patient 4

Patient 5

Patient 6

Patient 7

Patient 8

Data are listed as the number, mean ± SD or median (IQR). ICU: intensive care unit; BMI: body mass index; QL: quadratus lumborum; SD: standard deviation; IQR: interquartile range.

Gender (male/female)

2/6

Female

Male

Female

Male

Age (years)

11.8 (7.5, 14.8)

19.5

9.1

11.6

2.8

1.1

14.8

11.9

Weight (kg)

41.3 ± 31.9

106

21.9

8.1

37.2

42.2

Height (cm)

129.6 ± 34.7

172.2

115

164.2

141.4

92.4

137

143.6

BMI (kg/m²)

20.9 ± 6.7

35.7

16.6

24.9

16.4

16.1

19.8

20.5

ICU admission

Yes (3), no (5)

Yes

Time in ICU (h)

15.1 (15.0, 18.9)

22.7

15.1

QL block laterality

Bilateral (6), unilateral (2)

Bilateral

Unilateral

Bilateral

Unilateral

Initial bolus (0.5% or 0.2% ropivacaine)

0.5% (4), 0.2% (4)

0.5%

0.2%

0.5%

0.2%

0.5%

QL block success

8 (100%)

Yes

Early removal of catheter due to catheter disconnect

Yes (2)

Yes

Initial infusion rate (mL/kg/h)

0.11 (0.06, 0.16)

0.06

0.09

0.04

0.06

0.21

0.37

0.12

0.14

**Table 2.** Quadratus Lumborum Catheter Characteristics
Data are listed as the number, mean (SD) or median (IQR). QL: quadratus lumborum; SD: standard deviation; IQR: interquartile range.
Number of patients	8
QL block laterality (bilateral/unilateral)	6/2
QL block medication initial bolus (0.5% or 0.2% ropivacaine)	4/4
QL block medication infusion concentration (0.2% ropivacaine, 0.1% ropivacaine, 1.5% chloroprocaine)	(5/2/1)
QL block success	8 (100%)
QL block complications noted	0
Initial bolus dose (mL/kg)	0.51 (0.3, 0.69)
Infusion rate (mL/kg/h)	0.11 (0.06, 0.16)
Early removal of catheter due to catheter disconnect	2
Procedure time (min)	15.0 (11.5, 18.0)

Table 2. Quadratus Lumborum Catheter Characteristics

Data are listed as the number, mean (SD) or median (IQR). QL: quadratus lumborum; SD: standard deviation; IQR: interquartile range.

Number of patients

QL block laterality (bilateral/unilateral)

6/2

QL block medication initial bolus (0.5% or 0.2% ropivacaine)

4/4

QL block medication infusion concentration (0.2% ropivacaine, 0.1% ropivacaine, 1.5% chloroprocaine)

(5/2/1)

QL block success

8 (100%)

QL block complications noted

Initial bolus dose (mL/kg)

0.51 (0.3, 0.69)

Infusion rate (mL/kg/h)

0.11 (0.06, 0.16)

Early removal of catheter due to catheter disconnect

Procedure time (min)

15.0 (11.5, 18.0)

**Table 3.** Postoperative Course
Postoperative event	Hours, median (IQR)
IQR: interquartile range.
Time to first ambulation	51.8 (21.1, 68.7)
Time to first oral intake	32.7 (17.3, 54.7)
Time to first flatus or bowel movement	24.8 (16.7, 42.2)

Table 3. Postoperative Course

Postoperative event

Hours, median (IQR)

IQR: interquartile range.

Time to first ambulation

51.8 (21.1, 68.7)

Time to first oral intake

32.7 (17.3, 54.7)

Time to first flatus or bowel movement

24.8 (16.7, 42.2)

**Table 4.** Postoperative Analgesic Adjuncts
Agent	Number (%)
Acetaminophen	8 (100)
Diazepam	6 (75)
Ketorolac or ibuprofen	3 (37.5)
Intraoperative methadone	2 (25)
Postoperative ketamine infusion	2 (25)

Table 4. Postoperative Analgesic Adjuncts

Agent

Number (%)

Acetaminophen

8 (100)

Diazepam

6 (75)

Ketorolac or ibuprofen

3 (37.5)

Intraoperative methadone

2 (25)

Postoperative ketamine infusion

2 (25)