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).

The Analgesic Effects of Preemptive Ultrasound-Guided Pericapsular Nerve Group Block in Comparison with Erector Spinae Plane Block in Elderly Undergoing Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Perioperative pain management strategies in the elderly undergoing hip arthroplasty need special and safe preemptive care. Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to compare the analgesic effects of preemptive ultrasound-guided pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block and lumbar erector spinae plane block (L-ESPB) in the elderly undergoing hip arthroplasty. The time to the first postoperative rescue analgesia was measured. The secondary aim was to assess the ease of spinal positioning (EOSP), onset of sensory block, block performance time, and patient satisfaction. Methods: Before positioning for spinal anesthesia, 69 elderly patients undergoing hip arthroplasty were randomized into three groups (n = 23 per group). The first intervention group received ultrasound-guided PENG block with 20 mL bupivacaine 0.25%; the second intervention group received ultrasound-guided L-ESPB using the same dose of bupivacaine. In the control group, patients received spinal anesthesia without any block. Results: The time to first postoperative rescue analgesic (morphine) was significantly prolonged in the PENG group (13.3 ± 3.5 h) compared to the L-ESPB (9.5 ± 2.3 h) and control (2.6 ± 0.4 h) groups. The EOSP score was significantly higher in the PENG group compared to the L-ESPB and control groups (P < 0.001). The block performance time and oneset of the sensory block were significantly shorter in the PENG group compared to the L-ESPB group. The highest patient satisfaction scores were observed in the PENG group. Conclusions: Preemptive pericapsular nerve group block postponed the need for postoperative analgesia and eased spinal positioning compared to L-ESPB in the elderly undergoing hip arthroplasty.