Higher intra-operative narcotic requirements and weakness with quadratus lumborum compared to paravertebral nerve block for total hip arthroplasty

Background This was a prospective single-blinded study comparing the peri-operative opioid consumption and motor weakness for patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) with either a Quadratus Lumborum Type 3 Nerve Block (QLB) or a Paravertebral Nerve Block (PVB). Methods A consecutive cohort of patients undergoing elective anterior approach (AA) THA by a single high-volume surgeon were randomly assigned an anesthesiologist by the charge anesthesiologist. One anesthesiologist performed all QLBs, and the other six anesthesiologists performed the PVBs. Pertinent data include prospectively collected qualitative surveys from blinded medical personnel, floor nurses, and physical therapists as well as demographic information and post-operative complications. Results Overall, 160 patients were included in the study divided equally between the QLB and PVB groups. The QLB group had a statistically higher peri-operative narcotic use ( p