Impact of Preoperative Quadratus Lumborum Block on Postoperative Opioid Consumption After Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if preoperative nerve block (quadratus lumborum \[QL\] block) works to improve pain control during and after laparoscopic hysterectomy. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does QL block decrease the amount of narcotic medication needed during surgery? Does QL block decrease the amount of narcotic medication needed after surgery? Researchers will compare QL block to local injection of a numbing medication at each incision site (the current standard practice) to see if QL block works to decrease surgical pain. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive one of the two following interventions: 1. QL block before surgery with a long-acting numbing medicine (liposomal bupivacaine) and then injection of placebo (saline) at each incision site in the operating room. 2. QL block before surgery with placebo (saline) and then injection of local numbing medicine (bupivacaine) at each incision site in the operating room. Participants will also: * Visit the clinic/hospital for a pre-operative appointment, the surgical procedure, and a 4-6 week post-operative appointment (all standard visits even if not participating in research) * Complete a questionnaire electronically, or by phone, that takes \<10 minutes at the pre-operative appointment and on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, 14, and 4-6 weeks.

NCT Number	NCT06709716
Lead Sponsor	Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Conditions	Postoperative Pain, Laparoscopic Hysterectomy, Nerve Block, Quadratus Lumborum Block
Enrollment	76 participants
Start Date	2024-12-01
Primary Completion	2025-12 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-02 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2024-11-29