Efficacy of adding dexmedetomidine as adjuvant with bupivacaine in ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block for post thoracotomy pain: Randomized controlled study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Poor management of postoperative pain results in physiological and psychological side effects with higher morbidity. Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) has shown efficacy in controlling pain in many surgeries. Dexmedetomidine has improved the quality of analgesia in many regional techniques. This study aimed to assess the analgesic outcome of adding dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine in ultrasound (US) guided ESPB for perioperative analgesia for thoracic cancer surgeries. Patients and Methods In this randomized controlled, double-blind study, 42 patients aged 18–65 years, ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) physical status II, scheduled for thoracotomy for cancer surgeries under general anesthesia were included. Patients were allocated into two equal groups: group 1 (ESPB by 28 ml bupivacaine 0.25% + 2 mL saline) and group 2 (ESPB 28 ml bupivacaine 0.25% + 2 mL dexmedetomidine 0.5 µg/kg). Blocks were performed before anesthesia induction. Results Group 2 consumed lower intraoperative fentanyl and postoperative morphine and had a lower pain score at rest and cough compared to group 1. Group 2 had prolonged time to first request of rescue analgesia compared to group 1. Postoperative nausea and vomiting, and sedation were comparable between both groups. No block-related complications were observed. Conclusions Adding dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine in US-guided ESPB provided more effective and safe analgesia in thoracotomy.