Postoperative Recovery Quality After Cesarean Section: Comparing Erector Spinae and Retrolaminar Blocks Using Turkish Version of the Obstetric Quality-of-Recovery Score in a Turkish Cohort (ObsQoR-11T)

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESP): Ultrasound-guided ESP block performed immediately after cesarean section at T9 level using 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine. Standard perioperative care and analgesia protocols are applied.

Retrolaminar Block (RLB): Ultrasound-guided Retrolaminar Block performed immediately after cesarean section at T9 level using 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine. Standard perioperative care and analgesia protocols are applied.

Study summary

Study Design This retrospective observational study aims to evaluate and compare the effects of two regional anesthesia techniques, Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block and Retrolaminar Block (RLB), on postoperative recovery quality in women undergoing elective cesarean section (CS). Postoperative pain after CS is common, particularly in the first 24-72 hours, and can affect mobility, breastfeeding, and overall well-being. Effective pain management is therefore critical for both patient comfort and maternal-infant bonding.

Participants and Methods Medical records of adult women aged 18-45 years, with a singleton pregnancy at ≥37 weeks, who underwent elective CS under spinal anesthesia in our clinic, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who had received either ESP or RLB immediately after surgery were included. Both blocks had been performed under ultrasound guidance at the T9 level using 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine, according to institutional practice. Standard perioperative care and analgesia protocols were applied to all patients.

Outcomes The primary outcome was postoperative recovery quality, assessed 24 hours after surgery using the Turkish version of the Obstetric Quality-of-Recovery Score (ObsQoR-11T), a validated tool addressing physical, emotional, and functional aspects of recovery. Secondary outcomes included postoperative pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale), opioid consumption, adverse events, and patient satisfaction, as documented in patient files.

Conclusion This retrospective study will provide evidence on which block technique more effectively improves recovery quality after CS and may help optimize postoperative analgesia strategies in Turkish obstetric populations.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Postoperative Recovery Quality After Cesarean Section (ObsQoR-11T) — 24 hours postoperatively
  The primary outcome is the quality of postoperative recovery, assessed using the Turkish version of the Obstetric Quality-of-Recovery Score (ObsQoR-11T). This validated questionnaire evaluates multidimensional aspects of recovery, including patient comfort, physical and emotional well-being, and functional status. Scores are recorded 24 hours after cesarean section to compare recovery between ESP and RLB groups.

Trial sites (1)

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