Quadratus lumborum (QL1) block in a morbidly obese patient posted for laparoscopic mesh hernia repair: a case report

Abstract

Background Quadratus lumborum block has been claimed to provide effective analgesia in abdominal surgeries by covering both somatic as well as visceral pain. However, its utility in morbidly obese patients has not been reported or evaluated. Case presentation In this case report, of laparoscopic hernia repair in a morbidly obese patient (weight 110 kg, height 1.53 m, BMI 46.9 kg/m2), there was excellent perioperative analgesia with no rescue opioid consumption in intraoperative period and average VAS score of 3 in 24 h postoperatively. The first recue analgesic was administered in the form of intravenous (IV) diclofenac 75 mg (diluted in 100 ml normal saline) 12 h after surgery when the patient reported a VAS of 5. Conclusions QL block is an effective, feasible, and safe option for providing analgesia for laparoscopic hernia repair in morbidly obese patients.