Erector spinae plane block for laparoscopic surgeries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a novel analgesic technique that can reduce post-operative pain and postoperative opioid consumption in laparoscopic surgeries. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science on November 17th, 2023 for clinical trials comparing ESPB with other analgesic techniques or placebo for laparoscopic surgeries. We meta-analyzed post-operative pain at rest, postoperative opioid consumption, time to first rescue analgesic request, and postoperative nausea and vomiting using a random effects model. RESULTS: ESPB significantly reduced opioid consumption compared to placebo (SMD, (95CI), p-value; -1.837, (-2.331, -1.343), < 0.001) and also compared to transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) (SMD, (95CI), p-value; -1.351, (-1.815, -0.887), < 0.001) but not quadratus lumborum plane block (QLB) (SMD, (95CI), p-value; 0.022, (-0.241, 0.286), 0.869). ESPB also significantly reduced participant-reported pain scores at rest at 24h post-operation compared to placebo (SMD, (95CI), p-value; -0.612, (-0.797, -0.428), < 0.001) and TAPB (SMD, (95CI), p-value; -0.465, (-0.767, -0.162), < 0.001), however, there was a significant increase in pain score compared to QLB (SMD, (95CI), p-value; 1.025, 0.156, 1.894), 0.021). A statistically significant increase in time to first rescue analgesic in ESPB groups compared to placebo and TAPB groups was observed in our meta-analysis. There was a lower post-operative nausea and vomiting rate in the ESPB groups compared to placebo groups, yet a comparable rate with QLB and TAPB groups was observed in the meta-analysis. CONCLUSION: ESPB is an effective and safe analgesic technique for managing post-operative pain and opioid consumption in laparoscopic surgeries compared to placebo, reducing postoperative nausea or vomiting as well. Compared to other techniques, ESPB has a similar efficacy to QLB, except for the pain score at 24 h post-operation, but appears to be superior to TAPB as an analgesic technique in laparoscopic surgeries, with a similar safety profile. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Prospero registration ID: CRD42024508363. Link: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#recordDetails.

Erector Spinae Plane Block as an Armamentarium for Pain Management in a Pyeloplasty Patient With Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report.

This case report presents the anaesthesia management of a 21-year-old male with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) undergoing pyeloplasty. An erector spinae plane block (ESPB) was employed as part of a multimodal analgesia approach to minimize intraoperative stress and reduce opioid consumption. The ESPB was administered using 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine with clonidine under ultrasound guidance, providing effective somatic and visceral analgesia. The intraoperative period was uneventful, and the patient had a stable postoperative recovery. This case highlights the potential of ESPB as a safe and effective anaesthesia technique in patients with ARVC, offering enhanced postoperative pain management and aligning with Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols.

Comparison of ultrasound-guided sacral erector spinae plane block and caudal epidural block for analgesia in paediatric patients undergoing hypospadias repair: A double-blind, randomised controlled trial.

Background and Aims: Caudal block is more frequently used in children for postoperative analgesia. However, its disadvantage is its short duration. Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) at the sacral level can potentially block the pudendal nerve. It may prove an alternative to caudal block for hypospadias repair regarding time to first rescue analgesia. Methods: Fifty children of 2-7 years of age were included. After induction of general anaesthesia, Group I (n = 25) was given ultrasound-guided sacral ESPB with 1 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine and Group II (n = 25) was given caudal block with 0.5 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine. Postoperatively at face, leg, activity, cry, consolability (FLACC) score ≥4, rescue analgesia was given using intravenous 15 mg/kg paracetamol. The primary outcome was to compare time to first rescue analgesia, and secondary outcomes were intraoperative haemodynamic parameters, fentanyl consumption, postoperative FLACC score and analgesic consumption in 24 h. Continuous variables were compared using the independent sample t-test or Mann-Whitney test, and categorical variables were compared using the Chi-square test. Results: The mean time to first rescue analgesia was 21.30 (standard deviation [SD]: 3.06) h in Group I and 9.36 (SD: 1.71) h in Group II (P < 0.001) (mean difference -11.94 [95% CI: -13.39, -10.48]). The FLACC score was significantly higher (P < 0.05) postoperatively at 8, 10, 12 and 18 h in Group II. Mean postoperative analgesic consumption was 310.5 (SD: 72.69) mg in Group I and 615.6 (SD: 137.51) mg in Group II (P < 0.001) (mean difference 30.5 [95% CI: 236.41, 373.78]). Conclusion: Sacral ESPB is better regarding time to first rescue analgesia than caudal block in paediatric patients undergoing hypospadias repair.

Continuous Erector Spinae Plane Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Elderly Patients After Thoracoscopic Lobectomy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of ultrasound-guided continuous erector spinae plane block to continuous thoracic paravertebral block on postoperative analgesia in elderly patients who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Elderly patients (N = 50) who underwent nonemergent thoracoscopic lobectomy in the thoracic surgery department of our hospital from January 2019 to December 2020 were selected and randomly divided into continuous erector spinae block (ESPB; n = 25) group and continuous thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB; n = 25) group. The patients in the two groups were guided by ultrasound with ESPB or TPVB before anesthesia induction. The visual analog scale at rest and cough in 2 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours after surgery, the supplementary analgesic dosage of tramadol, time of tube placement, the stay time in postanesthesia care unit (PACU), the first ambulation time after surgery, the length of postoperative hospital stay and postoperative complications were recorded. FINDINGS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in visual analog scale score at rest and cough at each time point and supplementary analgesic dosage of tramadol within 48 hours after surgery (P > .05). The time of tube placement and the postoperative hospital stay in ESPB group was significantly shorter than that in TPVB group (P < .05). There were no differences in PACU residence time and first ambulation time between the two groups (P > .05). There were 4 patients in TPVB group and 2 patients in ESPB group who had nausea and vomiting (P > .05), 1 case of pneumothorax and 1 case of fever in the TPVB group. There were no incision infections or respiratory depression requiring clinical intervention in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Both ESPB and TPVB alleviated the patients postoperative pain effectively for elderly patients underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy. Compared with TPVB, patients with ESPB have a shorter tube placement time, fewer complications and faster postoperative recovery.

Evaluation of USG-guided novel sacral erector spinae block for postoperative analgesia in pediatric patients undergoing hypospadias repair: A randomized controlled trial.

Background and Aims: Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) has been found to be simple, safe, and effective at thoracic and lumbar levels. There is no randomized controlled trial evaluating its effectiveness at sacral level. The present study was conducted to evaluate its effectiveness at sacral level for postoperative analgesia in pediatric patients undergoing hypospadias repair. Material and Methods: Forty children of 2-7 years with ASA grade I or II were included. They were randomly allocated to one of the two groups of 20 patients each. After induction of general anesthesia, patients of group I were given ultrasound-guided sacral ESPB with 1 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine, and patients of group II were not given block. Postoperatively, pain was assessed using face, legs, activity, cry, consolability (FLACC) scale at 0 hour, every 15 min up to 1 hour, every half an hour up to 2 hours, 2 hourly up to 12 hours, and at 18th hour and 24th hour postoperatively. At FLACC score ≥4, rescue analgesia was given using 15 mg/kg paracetamol infusion. Primary objective was to compare postoperative analgesic (paracetamol) consumption, and secondary objective was time to first rescue analgesia. Results: Mean postoperative paracetamol consumption was 360 ± 156.60 mg in group I and 997.50 ± 310.87 mg in group II (P = 0.001). Time to first rescue analgesia was 906 ± 224.51 min in group I and 205.00 ± 254.92 min in group II (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Sacral ESPB has been found to be effective in reducing postoperative analgesic consumption in pediatric patients undergoing hypospadias repair.

Ultrasound-guided procedures for postoperative pain management in pediatric patients undergoing abdominal surgeries: A systematic review.

Many ultrasound-guided procedures are available for administering analgesia via peripheral nerve blockade. This systematic review aims to compare different ultrasound-guided procedures to determine which procedure is better suited for pediatric abdominal surgeries. The objective is to understand the efficacy of ultrasound-guided procedures for postoperative pain management in children undergoing abdominal surgeries and to identify which procedure takes less time and is better suited for a particular surgery. A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, SCOPUS, Central Cochrane Registry of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library), and ScienceDirect databases for pediatric abdominal surgeries conducted with ultrasound-guided procedures for administering analgesia. We included studies involving randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Quasi-randomized controlled studies, prospective, retrospective observational studies, case series, case reports, letters, editorials, comments, animal studies, and studies from non-English literature were excluded. We reviewed 13 articles with 910 patients included. Age groups varied from 6 months to 21 years. The most common block used was the transversus abdominis block (47.76%), and the most common surgery performed was hernia and hydrocele (52.10%). Quadratus lumborum block was used in 26.92%, erector spinae block in 8.97%, modified transversus abdominus block and rectus sheath block in 9.62%, and ilioinguinal block in 6.73% of the patients. No complications were reported in any of the studies. Transversus abdominus block is less effective in two of the studies. Each procedure for pediatric postoperative analgesia has specific advantages and limitations, highlighting the complexity of tailoring interventions. Our review focuses on the advancements in ultrasound-guided analgesia for lower abdominal surgeries in pediatric patients while also emphasizing the need for future randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare efficacy, standardize practices, and improve patient outcomes.

Lumbar Erector Spinae Plane Block for Dega Pelvic Osteotomy in a Pediatric Patient With Complex Neurological Issues: A Case Report.

The erector spinae plane (ESP) block, initially designed for thoracic analgesia, has evolved into a versatile regional anesthesia technique with literature support for success in numerous contexts. In this case report, we highlight the successful application of ESP to provide postoperative analgesia for pediatric Dega osteotomy involving both the femoral head and acetabulum, in a patient with numerous neurological comorbidities that would have weighed against some more traditional regional anesthesia techniques. This case further highlights the versatility of ESP, demonstrating its use in blocking lumbar nerve roots in a pediatric patient with complex neurological challenges.

Regional analgesia using ultrasound-guided intermediate cervical plexus block versus cervical erector spinae block for anterior cervical spine surgery: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Regional analgesia techniques are crucial for pain management after cervical spine surgeries. Anesthesiologists strive to select the most effective and least hazardous regional analgesia technique for the cervical region. Our hypothesis is that an intermediate cervical plexus (IC) block can provide adequate postoperative analgesia compared to a cervical erector spinae (ES) block in patients undergoing anterior cervical spine surgery. METHODS: In this double-blind prospective trial, 58 patients were randomly assigned into two equal groups prior to the administration of general anesthesia. Patients in the IC group (n = 29) underwent ultrasound-guided bilateral intermediate cervical plexus block with 15 ml of bupivacaine 0.25% administered to each side. The ES group (n = 29) underwent ultrasound-guided bilateral cervical erector spinae plane blocks with 15 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine administered to each side at the C6 level. The primary outcome was to record the time to the first call for rescue analgesia (nalbuphine), and the secondary outcomes were to measure the performance time, the onset of the sensory block, the intraoperative fentanyl consumption, postoperative pain intensity using VAS, the postoperative total nalbuphine consumption, and postoperative complications such as nausea, vomiting, hypotension, and bradycardia. RESULTS: The performance and onset of sensory block times were significantly shorter in the IC group compared to the ES group. The time to first call for nalbuphine was significantly shorter in the IC group (7.31 ± 1.34 h) compared to the ES group (11.10 ± 1.82 h). The mean postoperative VAS scores were comparable between the two groups at the measured time points, except at 8 h, where it was significantly higher in the IC group, and at 12 h, where it was significantly higher in the ES group. The total nalbuphine consumption was significantly higher in the IC group (33.1 ± 10.13 mg) compared to the ES group (22.76 ± 8.62 mg). CONCLUSIONS: For patients undergoing anterior cervical spine surgery, the intermediate cervical plexus block does not provide better postoperative regional analgesia compared to the cervical erector spinae block. Performance time and onset time were shorter in the IC group, whereas nalbuphine consumption was lower in the ES group. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov. (NCT05577559, and the date of registration: 13-10-2022).

Efficacy of Bilateral Erector Spinae Block in Patients Undergoing Posterior Spine Fusion Surgeries: A Comparative Randomised Controlled Trial.

Introduction During spine surgeries, various levels of tissue injury can result in varying hemodynamic responses and significant postoperative pain. Perioperative pain management is essential to controlling hemodynamic responses and postoperative pain management. Erector spinae plane (ESP) blocks can help alleviate this pain by blocking the dorsal rami of the spinal nerve. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of ESP by assessing the perioperative opioid requirement, hemodynamic parameters, and visual analogue score (VAS) during the postoperative period. Methods In this study, 56 patients underwent elective posterior spine fusion surgeries under conventional anaesthesia and were allocated into two groups: 28 patients were included in the conventional group (Group C) and 28 patients in the ESP group (Group E). Group C patients received 20 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl) on each side, and Group E patients received 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine + 4 mg dexamethasone on each side under ultrasound sonography guidance. Postoperative pain was assessed using the VAS score. The hemodynamic parameters during the intraoperative period, the time for the first opioid analgesia requirement until 24 hours in the postoperative period, and the amount of cumulative opioid consumption during the perioperative period were observed. Results Postoperative VAS was lower in Group E (P < 0.001). There were significant differences in hemodynamic parameters: heart rate (P < 0.045), systolic blood pressure (P < 0.002), diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.003), and mean arterial pressure (P < 0.002) at the time of incision in Group E. Intraoperative opioid requirements at the time of incision (P < 0.036), 60th minutes (P < 0.023), 120th minutes (P < 0.023), and postoperative opioid requirements at the first hour (P < 0.001), sixth hour (P < 0.004), 14th hour (P < 0.025), 20th hour (P < 0.009), and 24th hour (P < 0.025) had lower opioid requirements in Group E than Group C. Conclusion ESP block is a more site-specific dorsal rami block with a better perioperative hemodynamic profile, a part of multimodal analgesia intraoperatively, and excellent postoperative analgesia with fewer postoperative opioid requirements in multilevel spine fusion surgeries.

Thoracic Erector Spinae Plane (T-ESP) Block Together With Intertransverse Process (ITP) Block for Laparoscopic Abdominal Surgery: A Case Report.

Laparoscopy has become a milestone with reduced surgical stress and postoperative pain. Evidence promotes erector spinae block for laparoscopic abdominal surgery, in particular for cholecystectomy. The thoracic paravertebral space block is the administration of local anesthetic into a wedge-shaped space on the antero-lateral thoracic spine and provides abdominal analgesia. We hypothesized that a combination of two paravertebral by proxy blocks (erector spinae and intertransverse process (ITP)) with multi-dermatomeric coverage and visceral pain control, with evidence for intra- and postoperative analgesia in thoracic and abdominal surgeries, may be a surgical anesthesia option for laparoscopy. A 42-year-old patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was scheduled for a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. He was 173 cm in height and weighed 90 kg (BMI 30 kg.m-2) and was classified in the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System (ASA-PS) as 2. He had a history of difficult airway and refused general anesthesia. With the patient's informed written consent, we performed a bilateral thoracic erector spinae plane (T-ESP)/ITP blocks at the T4-8 level. Surgery was performed with the patient spontaneously breathing under sedation without complications. Hence, the combination of ESP-ITP blocks was a good anesthesia option for the planned surgery without side effects and optimal postoperative pain control.

Changes in motor evoked potentials after erector spinae block in scoliosis surgery-when to take pre-incision baseline recordings?

Multimodal intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) is highly valuable in scoliosis surgeries for monitoring spinal cord function, particularly during instrumentation. Accurate timing of baseline recordings of TcMEP and SSEP is crucial, as any changes observed during surgery and instrumentation are compared to these baseline recordings. However, the impact of ultrasound-guided erector spinae block (USG-ESPB) on SSEP and TcMEP is not well-studied in scoliosis surgery. In this report, we present two cases of scoliosis surgery where bilateral two-level USG-ESPB using different concentrations of ropivacaine (0.375% and 0.2%) resulted in a transient and significant deterioration of TcMEP, occurring 3 minutes after the block and lasting for 20 minutes. Remarkably, SSEPs remained unchanged during this period. These findings suggest that USG-ESPB may produce TcMEP changes, highlighting the importance of carefully considering the timing of baseline TcMEP acquisition in scoliosis surgery.

Effective Postoperative Pain Management in Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Surgery: The Role of the Erector Spinae Plane Block.

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) often necessitates surgical intervention to alleviate neurovascular bundle compression, which can result in severe postoperative pain. The myriad of surgical techniques available for TOS treatment, the intricate involvement of diverse sensory pathways, and the limited literature on effective analgesic methods for these specific cases underscore the need for successful approaches. This report introduces an efficacious multimodal analgesic strategy that incorporates the erector spinae plane (ESP) block to enhance postoperative pain management after a supraclavicular surgical approach. By combining this fascial block with a comprehensive rationale for its implementation, this case offers valuable insights into improving the postoperative care of TOS patients, ultimately aiming to enhance their comfort and recovery.

Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) surgery is associated with significant postoperative pain. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) for analgesia after MIDCAB. METHODS: We conducted randomized controlled trial in 60 patients undergoing MIDCAB who received either a single-shot ESPB with 30 mL of ropivacaine 0.5% (ESPB group, n = 30) or normal saline 0.9% (control group, n = 30). The primary outcome was numerical rating scale (NRS) pain scores at rest within 48 hr postoperatively. The secondary outcomes included postoperative NRS pain scores on deep inspiration within 48 hr, hydromorphone consumption, and quality of recovery-15 (QoR-15) score at 24 and 48 hr. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the ESPB group had lower NRS pain scores at rest at 6 hr (estimated mean difference, -2.1; 99% confidence interval [CI], -2.7 to -1.5; P < 0.001), 12 hr (-1.9; 99% CI, -2.6 to -1.2; P < 0.001), and 18 hr (-1.2; 99% CI, -1.8 to -0.6; P < 0.001) after surgery. The ESPB group also showed lower pain scores on deep inspiration at 6 hr (-2.9; 99% CI, -3.6 to -2.1; P < 0.001), 12 hr (-2.3; 99% CI, -3.1 to -1.5; P < 0.001), and 18 hr (-1.0; 99% CI, -1.8 to -0.2; P = 0.01) postoperatively. Patients in the ESPB group had lower total intraoperative fentanyl use, lower 24-hr hydromorphone consumption, a shorter time to extubation, and a shorter time to intensive care unit (ICU) discharge. CONCLUSION: Erector spinae plane block provided early effective postoperative analgesia and reduced opioid consumption, time to extubation, and ICU discharge in patients undergoing MIDCAB. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2100052810); registered 5 November 2021.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: La chirurgie minimalement invasive de pontage aortocoronarien direct (MIDCAB) est associée à une douleur postopératoire importante. Notre objectif était d'étudier l'efficacité du bloc échoguidé du plan des muscles érecteurs du rachis (ESPB) pour l'analgésie après une MIDCAB. MéTHODE: Nous avons réalisé une étude randomisée contrôlée chez 60 patient·es bénéficiant d'une MIDCAB et ayant reçu soit une dose unique d'ESPB avec 30 mL de ropivacaïne à 0,5 % (groupe ESPB, n = 30), soit une solution de normal salin à 0,9 % (groupe témoin, n = 30). Le critère d'évaluation principal était les scores de douleur au repos sur l'échelle d'évaluation numérique (EEN) dans les 48 heures postopératoires. Les critères d'évaluation secondaires comprenaient les scores de douleur postopératoires sur l'EEN en inspiration profonde dans les 48 heures, la consommation d'hydromorphone et le score de qualité de la récupération 15 (QoR-15) à 24 et 48 heures. RéSULTATS: Par rapport au groupe témoin, le groupe ESPB avait des scores de douleur au repos sur l'EEN plus faibles à 6 heures (différence moyenne estimée, −2,1; intervalle de confiance [IC] à 99 %, −2,7 à −1,5; P < 0,001), 12 h (−1,9; IC 99 %, −2,6 à −1,2; P < 0,001) et 18 h (−1,2; IC à 99 %, −1,8 à −0,6; P < 0,001) après la chirurgie. Le groupe ESPB a également affiché des scores de douleur plus faibles en inspiration profonde à 6 heures (−2,9; IC à 99 %, −3,6 à −2,1; P < 0,001), 12 h (−2,3; IC à 99 %, −3,1 à −1,5; P < 0,001) et 18 h (−1,0; IC à 99 %, −1,8 à −0,2; P = 0,01) postopératoire. Les patient·es du groupe ESPB avaient une consommation totale de fentanyl peropératoire plus faible, une consommation d'hydromorphone plus faible sur 24 heures, un délai d'extubation plus court et un délai plus court jusqu'au congé de l'unité de soins intensifs (USI). CONCLUSION: Le bloc du plan des muscles érecteurs du rachis a fourni une analgésie postopératoire rapide et efficace et une réduction de la consommation d'opioïdes, du délai d'extubation et du congé de l'unité de soins intensifs chez les patient·es bénéficiant d'une MIDCAB. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2100052810); enregistré le 5 novembre 2021.

Analgesic Techniques for Rib Fractures-A Comprehensive Review Article.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Rib fractures are a common traumatic injury that has been traditionally treated with systemic opioids and non-opioid analgesics. Due to the adverse effects of opioid analgesics, regional anesthesia techniques have become an increasingly promising alternative. This review article aims to explore the efficacy, safety, and constraints of medical management and regional anesthesia techniques in alleviating pain related to rib fractures. RECENT FINDINGS: Recently, opioid analgesia, thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA), and paravertebral block (PVB) have been favored options in the pain management of rib fractures. TEA has positive analgesic effects, and many studies vouch for its efficacy; however, it is contraindicated for many patients. PVB is a viable alternative to those with contraindications to TEA and exhibits promising outcomes compared to other regional anesthesia techniques; however, a failure rate of up to 10% and adverse complications challenge its administration in trauma settings. Serratus anterior plane blocks (SAPB) and erector spinae blocks (ESPB) serve as practical alternatives to TEA or PVB with lower incidences of adverse effects while exhibiting similar levels of analgesia. ESPB can be performed by trained emergency physicians, making it a feasible procedure to perform that is low-risk and efficient in pain management. Compared to the other techniques, intercostal nerve block (ICNB) had less analgesic impact and required concurrent intravenous medication to achieve comparable outcomes to the other blocks. The regional anesthesia techniques showed great success in improving pain scores and expediting recovery in many patients. However, choosing the optimal technique may not be so clear and will depend on the patient's case and the team's preferences. The peripheral nerve blocks have impressive potential in the future and may very well surpass neuraxial techniques; however, further research is needed to prove their efficacy and weaknesses.

Randomized comparison between transversus abdominis and erector spinae blocks in cesarean section

Introduction: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block provides somatic analgesia postoperatively in cesarean sections, however erector spinae plane (ESP) block has shown to provide both somatic and visceral analgesia. Objective: To compare the efficacy of TAP and ESP blocks for pain control after cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. Methods: In a double-blind superiority trial, pregnant patients undergoing cesarean section were randomized into either bilateral TAP or ESP block groups. Primary outcome was total consumption of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) tramadol in the first 24 hours. Secondary outcomes included time required for first rescue analgesia, post-surgery visual analog score (VAS) for pain, patient satisfaction, and adverse effects. Results: 50 pregnant patients were randomized into TAP and ESP blocks. There was no difference in the amount of PCA tramadol within the first 24 hours between both groups [100mg (63-125) in TAP group vs 75mg (38-100) ESP group]. Pain score at rest and on movement and patient satisfaction were comparable in both groups, with no difference in adverse effects. There was a slight difference in the median time for first rescue analgesia [210min (135-315) in TAP group and 270min (225-405) ESP group] (p=0.03). Conclusions: TAP and ESP blocks provide similar analgesia with comparable consumption of tramadol in the first 24 hours post-cesarean section and no difference in pain scores at rest/on movement.

Introducción: El bloqueo del plano transverso abdominal (TAP - por sus siglas en inglés), ofrece analgesia somática postoperatoria en cesárea; sin embargo, el bloqueo del plano erector de la espina (ESP - por sus siglas en inglés) ha demostrado proporcionar analgesia tanto somática, como visceral. Objetivo: Comparar la eficacia de los bloqueos TAP y ESP para el control del dolor posterior a la cesárea, bajo anestesia raquídea. Métodos: En un estudio de superioridad doble ciego, las pacientes embarazadas sometidas a cesárea se aleatorizaron bien sea al grupo de bloqueo bilateral TAP o ESP? El desenlace principal fue el consumo total de analgesia controlada por la paciente (PCA - por sus siglas en inglés) con tramadol en las primeras 24 horas. Los desenlaces secundarios incluyeron el tiempo transcurrido para la primera analgesia de rescate, el puntaje en la escala visual analógica (EVA) para dolor, la satisfacción del paciente y los efectos adversos. Resultados: 50 pacientes embarazadas se aleatorizaron entre bloqueo TAP y bloqueo ESP. No hubo diferencia en la cantidad de tramadol de la PCA dentro de las primeras 24 horas entre los dos grupos [100mg (63-125) en el grupo TAP vs 75mg (38-100) en el grupo ESP]. El puntaje de dolor en reposo y en movimiento y la satisfacción de la paciente fueron comparables en ambos grupos, sin diferencia en los efectos adversos. Hubo una ligera diferencia en la media de tiempo hasta la primera analgesia de rescate [210 min (135-315) en el grupo de TAP y 270 min (225-405) en el grupo ESP] (p=0,03). Conclusiones: Los bloqueos TAP y ESP ofrecen una analgesia similar, con un consumo comparable de tramadol en las primeras 24 horas posteriores a la cesárea y no hay diferencia en los puntajes de dolor en reposo, o en movimiento.

Managing acute pancreatitis pain with bilateral erector spinae plane catheters in a patient allergic to opioids and NSAIDS: A case report.

Acute pancreatitis is one of the major causes of abdominal pain and is mainly related to either gallstone or heavy alcohol intake. We have managed a patient with acute pancreatitis with a bilateral erector spinae catheter because he was not suitable for other analgesics. A 72-year-old male with a known alcoholic patient was admitted with severe acute pancreatitis. He also had the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and oesophageal reflux disease. He was allergic to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and opioids. Therefore, his pain was managed successfully with bilateral erector spinae block with a continuous infusion with 0.125% levobupivacaine 1 ml/hr background infusion and 30 ml every 4 hours using a CADD Solis regional analgesia pump. Although erector spinae block is relatively new and to date, the optimal dose is not determined. We inserted the catheters at the T8 level; however, further study is needed to determine the ideal insertion site and drug volumes. We have mentioned key features, techniques, and management plans and reviewed the latest literature in this case report.