Comparing Quadratus Lumborum Block and Local Anesthetic Infiltration for Pain Control in Children and Teens Undergoing Palate Surgery with Hip Bone Graft

What this Trial Is About

This research is focused on children and teens aged 6 to 18 who are having surgery on the hard or soft palate of the mouth, called palatoplasty, which includes bone removal from the front of the hip. The study aims to compare two methods of pain relief after surgery a unilateral quadratus lumborum QL block performed by an anesthesiologist and local anesthetic infiltration LAI done by the surgeon. The main goal is to measure post-operative pain during the first 48 hours after surgery. Secondary goals include tracking pain medication use, the time it takes for the block to wear off, and any complications linked to either pain relief method. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive the QL block using ultrasound guidance and a specific dose of ropivacaine combined with dexamethasone. The anesthesiologist will carefully inject the anesthetic near the quadratus lumborum muscle. The other group will receive the surgeons usual local anesthetic injection at the surgical site during the operation. To keep the study blinded, a bandage will be placed where the QL block would have been done, even for those receiving local anesthetic infiltration. Throughout the study, participants will be monitored for pain levels up to 48 hours after surgery, and researchers will observe how much pain medication is used. They will also record how long the QL block effect lasts up to 7 days and note any complications from either intervention. The study is conducted under double-blind conditions, and participation includes follow-up assessments within the first few days after surgery to gather this information.

QL vs LAI for Palatoplasty