Evaluation of the Postoperative Analgesic Efficacy of the Quadroiliac Plane (QIP) Block in Femur Fracture Surgery

This is a prospective, randomized, controlled, single-center clinical trial designed to evaluate the postoperative analgesic efficacy of the Quadroiliac Plane (QIP) block in patients undergoing femur fracture surgery, specifically partial hip arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia. The primary objective of the study is to assess the impact of the QIP block on total opioid consumption (fentanyl via PCA) during the first 24 hours postoperatively. Secondary objectives include evaluation of rescue analgesia needs, dermatomal spread of the block, incidence of motor block or complications, block feasibility and application time, patient satisfaction, and length of hospital stay.

Eligible participants aged 18 years or older who are scheduled for elective partial hip arthroplasty due to femoral neck fracture and meet inclusion criteria will be invited to participate. After obtaining written informed consent, patients will be randomly assigned to one of two groups using a computer-generated sequence and sealed envelope method. The intervention group will receive a QIP block postoperatively using 40 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine under ultrasound guidance. The control group will receive no regional block. Both groups will receive standard postoperative multimodal analgesia, including intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with fentanyl.

Pain will be assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), which ranges from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain), at rest and with movement at 0, 6, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively. Rescue analgesia (50 mg dexketoprofen IV over 20 minutes) will be administered if needed. The dermatomal spread of the block will be evaluated using an alcohol-based cold test at 2 hours postoperatively. At 24 hours, all patients will complete the Quality of Recovery-15 (QOR-15) questionnaire, which scores recovery from 0 (poor recovery) to 150 (excellent recovery).

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged 18 years and older
• Scheduled for partial hip arthroplasty due to femur fracture
• ASA physical status classification I to III
• No contraindications to regional anesthesia or study medications
• Capable of understanding and using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)
• Provided written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• ASA classification IV or higher
• History of bleeding disorders or use of anticoagulant therapy
• Known allergy to local anesthetics
• Presence of neuropathic pain disorders
• Undergoing emergency surgery
• Unable to operate PCA device
• Declined to participate or refused consent