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NCT Number: NCT07082387

External Oblique and Rectus Abdominis Plane Block Versus Quadratus Lumborum Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

This study aims to compare the effects of the external oblique and rectus abdominis plane (EXORA) block and the quadratus lumborum block (QLB) on postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

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Key information

Conditions

External Oblique and Rectus Abdominis Plane Block Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Postoperative Analgesia Quadratus Lumborum Block

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Tanta University

Tanta, El-Gharbia, 31527, Egypt

About this study

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a proven, gold standard surgical procedure for the management of gallbladder stones.

The quadratus lumborum block (QLB) is a regional block that would appear to be similar to the posterior TAP block, although the drug injection area is deeper and more dorsal than the transverse abdominal aponeurosis.

The external oblique and rectus abdominis plane (EXORA) block is an emerging technique providing a sensory block to the anterolateral abdominal wall.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age from 18 to 65 years.
  • Both sexes.
  • American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical status I-II.
  • Undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) under general anesthesia.

Exclusion criteria

  • History of allergies to local anesthetics.
  • Opioid dependency.
  • Bleeding or coagulation disorders.
  • Psychiatric and neurological disorder.
  • Local infection at the site of injection.
  • Body mass index (BMI) > 35.
  • Hypertension.
  • Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.

Treatment and study plan

External oblique and rectus abdominis plane block

Other

Patients will receive an external oblique and rectus abdominis plane (EXORA) block using 20ml of bupivacaine 0.25%.

Quadratus lumborum block

Other

Patients will receive a quadratus lumborum block (QLB) using 20ml of bupivacaine 0.25%.

Primary outcomes

  1. Time to the 1st rescue analgesia

    Time frame: 24 hours postoperatively

    Time to the first request for the rescue analgesia (time from the end of surgery to first dose of morphine administrated).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Total morphine consumption

    Time frame: 24 hours postoperatively

    Rescue analgesia of morphine will be given as 3 mg bolus if the numeric rating scale (NRS) > 3 to be repeated after 30 min if pain persists until the NRS < 4.

  2. Intraoperative fentanyl consumption

    Time frame: Intraoperatively

    Additional fentanyl bolus dosages of 0.5 µg/kg IV will be administered if heart rate or mean arterial blood pressure elevated more than 20% of the baseline (after exclusion of other causes than pain).

  3. Degree of pain

    Time frame: 24 hours postoperatively

    Each patient will be instructed about postoperative pain assessment with the numeric rating scale (NRS) score. NRS (0 represents "no pain" while 10 represents "the worst pain imaginable"). NRS will be assessed at PACU, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 18 and 24 h postoperatively.

  4. Incidence of adverse events

    Time frame: 24 hours postoperatively

    Incidence of adverse events such as bradycardia, hypotension, nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, pruritus, or any other complication.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Tanta University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

External Oblique and Rectus Abdominis Plane (EXORA) Block Versus Quadratus Lumborum Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 24, 2025
Registry last updated
Apr 22, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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