Erector spinae plane block for analgesia after cesarean delivery: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a regional block that may be used for several surgeries. However, the evidence regarding obstetrical procedures is not pooled in the literature. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether ESPB improves the postoperative pain after cesarean section by a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: The protocol of this review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020192760). We included randomized controlled trials from databases until August 2020. The primary outcome was pain measured on a visual analogic scale; secondary outcomes were analgesic duration, postoperative opioid dose within the 24 hours, nausea/vomiting. The risk of bias and the GRADE criteria to assess quality of evidence were analyzed. RESULTS: From 436 retrieved studies, three were selected. There was no difference in the pain scores between ESPB and controls at rest after surgery at 4 h (mean difference [MD] = 0.00; 95% CI: -0.72 to 0.72; I² = 0%; very low certainty), 12 h (MD = -1.00; 95% CI: -2.00 to -0.00; I² = 0%, low certainty) and 24 h (MD = -0.68; 95% CI: -1.56 to 0.20; I² = 50%; very low certainty). There was a smaller consumption of tramadol with ESPB compared with controls (MD = -47.66; 95% CI: -77.24 to -18.08; I² = 59%; very low certainty). The analgesic duration of ESPB was longer than the controls (MD = 6.97; 95% CI: 6.30 to 7.65; I² = 58%; very low certainty). CONCLUSION: ESPB did not decrease the postoperative pain scores when compared to other comparators. However, ESPB showed a lower consumption of tramadol and a longer blockade duration, although the quality of evidence of these outcomes were very low.

Ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block for surgical treatment of endometriosis: case report.

Quadratus lumborum block (QLB) is a technique that is not widely applied for gynecological surgery. Endometriosis affects 10% of the female population and chronic pelvic pain is one of the most prevalent symptoms. Laparoscopic surgery for removal of endometriosis may present a long intra-operative duration and this technique might improve postoperative pain control. We described a case report of a patient submitted to general anesthesia associated to bilateral QLB for pelvic endometriosis. QLB was an adjuvant anesthetic technique for endometriosis, providing somatic and visceral analgesia. However, prospective studies are needed to identify the standard dosage and total duration of analgesia.