Erector Spinae Plane Block for Post-Operative Analgesia in Lumbar Spine Surgeries

Abstract

Abstract Background Pain is an everyday challenge during all surgeries and it is a chief postoperative complication, so pain management is a corner stone in anesthetic practice. Lumbar spine surgeries are usually associated with acute postoperative pain and restricted mobility. Ultrasound guided nerve block is considered a recent technique for pain management. It provides better visualization of the nerves and reduces the risk for complications e.g. unintended injury to adjacent structures. Aim of the Work The present study was designed to assess the analgesic efficacy and safety of ultrasound guided ESPB done at lumbar transverse process level in patients undergoing lumbar spine surgeries for postoperative analgesia. Patients and Methods The study was conducted in Ain Shams university Hospitals after approval of the ethics committee and written patients’ consent. It included a total of 70 adult patients aged 21-50 years, Scheduled for lumbar spine surgeries. Results The main finding in this study was that ultrasound guided ESPB at level of lumbar process provides a good analgesic effect in patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery as following: Reduced the total amount of postoperative morphine consumption in comparison to controlled group, prolonged the time to first request of analgesia (duration of analgesia), provided early mobilization, increase patient satisfaction in 1st 24 hour, decease incidence of nausea and vomiting due to decrease opioids Intake. Conclusion Ultrasound-guided bilateral erector spinae plane block reduced postoperative morphine consumption, alleviated postoperative pain scores and improved patients’ satisfaction in the first 24 hours after lumbar spine surgeries, without any associated adverse effects or complications.