An interventional study of QLESP Block and PENG+LFCN Block in Pain Management and Arthroplasty Total Hip Replacement, sponsored by Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Recruiting at 1 site in China. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 70 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-29.
Sponsored by Huazhong University of Science and Technology · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a common surgery to replace damaged hip joints, but many patients experience significant pain after surgery, which can delay recovery and increase the need for strong pain medications (opioids). Nerve blocks are a technique where anesthetic medication is injected near specific nerves to reduce pain. This study compares two different ultrasound-guided nerve block techniques for pain control after THA: the QLESP block (a newer technique that targets two areas with a single injection) and the PENG block combined with the LFCN block (a currently used technique that targets nerves around the hip joint and the outer thigh). Participants in this study will be randomly assigned (like a coin flip) to receive either the QLESP block or the PENG+LFCN block after surgery. The study aims to determine which nerve block provides better pain relief and reduces the need for opioid pain medications in the first 24 hours after surgery. Pain scores, recovery of leg movement, time to first walk, length of hospital stay, and any side effects will also be compared between the two groups.
Background: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a common orthopedic procedure, but postoperative pain remains a significant challenge that can delay recovery and increase opioid consumption. Regional nerve blocks are a key component of multimodal analgesia. The QLESP block is a novel single-puncture, dual-plane technique developed by our group, while the PENG+LFCN block is a currently used motor-sparing technique. However, no randomized controlled trial has directly compared these two approaches.
Objective: This study aims to compare the analgesic efficacy and functional recovery outcomes of QLESP block versus PENG+LFCN block in patients undergoing THA.
Design: This is a single-center, prospective, randomized, assessor-blinded, parallel-controlled trial. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either QLESP block or PENG+LFCN block after surgery. All participants will receive standardized general anesthesia and postoperative multimodal analgesia.
Exploratory biomarker sub-study: An exploratory sub-study will analyze plasma proteomic profiles in a subset of participants to identify potential molecular mechanisms underlying differences in pain response. Blood samples will be collected at baseline and 24 hours postoperatively. This analysis is exploratory and hypothesis-generating.
Sample size: A total of 140 participants will be enrolled (70 per group). Follow-up: Participants will be followed for 48 hours after surgery.
Huazhong University of Science and Technology is the lead sponsor of 247 studies on the registry; 62 are open to participants now.
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Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
The anaesthetists’ scale of health before surgery: I is healthy, II has a mild illness that is under control, III a severe one, IV a severe illness that is a constant threat to life. V and VI are used for the critically ill and for organ donors.
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
ASA physical status
The anaesthetists’ scale of health before surgery: I is healthy, II has a mild illness that is under control, III a severe one, IV a severe illness that is a constant threat to life. V and VI are used for the critically ill and for organ donors.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
BMI (body mass index)
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hypersensitivity
An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Cancer (malignancy)
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants receive ultrasound-guided QLESP block with 30 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine (15 mL between the erector spinae and transverse process, and 15 mL between the quadratus lumborum and psoas major).
Procedure: QLESP Block · Drug: ropivacaine
Participants receive ultrasound-guided PENG block with 20 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine combined with LFCN block with 10 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine.
Procedure: PENG+LFCN Block · Drug: ropivacaine
Ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum and modified erector spinae plane block. A single-puncture, dual-injection technique at the L4 level. Total volume: 30 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine.
Ultrasound-guided pericapsular nerve group block combined with lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block. PENG: 20 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine; LFCN: 10 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine.
Ropivacaine hydrochloride injection, 0.375% solution, administered as a single dose via ultrasound-guided nerve block. Total dose: 112.5 mg (30 mL of 0.375% solution) for the QLESP group; 112.5 mg (30 mL of 0.375% solution) for the PENG+LFCN group.
Postoperative 24-Hour Cumulative Opioid Consumption
Time frame: At 24 hours after surgery
Postoperative VAS Pain Scores
The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is a 10-cm line ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate worse pain. Pain scores are assessed at rest and during movement (passive hip flexion to 15 degrees) at each time point.
Time frame: At 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours after surgery
Rescue Analgesia Requirement
Time frame: Within 24 hours after surgery
Motor Block Assessment (Bromage Score)
The Bromage Score is a 4-point scale ranging from 0 (no motor block, able to perform full knee flexion and foot dorsiflexion against resistance) to 3 (complete motor block, unable to move knee or foot). Higher scores indicate worse motor function. Assessed on the operative side at each time point. A score of 0-1 is considered clinically acceptable for early ambulation.
Time frame: At 6, 24, and 48 hours after surgery
Time to First Ambulation
Time frame: From surgery end to first walk, up to 7 days
Length of Hospital Stay
Time frame: From surgery date to discharge, up to 30 days
Incidence of Adverse Events
Time frame: From surgery end to 48 hours after surgery
Change in Plasma Proteomic Profile from Baseline to 24 Hours Postoperatively
Time frame: Baseline and 24 hours after surgery
Plan to share: No — The study protocol and informed consent form did not include provisions for secondary data analysis by external researchers.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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