Erector spinae plane block at lower thoracic level for analgesia in lumbar spine surgery: A randomized controlled trial
Jingjing Zhang, Teng-Jiao Zhang, Zongyang Qu, Yong Qiu, Zhen Hua
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery usually suffer severe pain in the postoperative period. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB), first published in 2016, can anesthetize the ventral and dorsal rami of thoracic nerves and produce an extensive multi-dermatomal sensory block. AIM: To assess whether bilateral ultrasound-guided ESPB at a lower thoracic level could improve pain control and quality of recovery in patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery. METHODS: A total of 60 patients aged 18-80 years scheduled to undergo lumbar spine surgery with general anesthesia were randomly assigned to two groups: ESPB group (preoperative bilateral ultrasound-guided ESPB at T10 vertebral level) and control group (no preoperative ESPB). Both groups received standard general anesthesia. The main indicator was the duration to the first patient controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) bolus. RESULTS: < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery, ultrasound-guided ESPB at a lower thoracic level improves the analgesic effect, reduces opioid consumption, and improves postoperative recovery.