Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block for perioperative analgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy surgery: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Study objectiveKidney neoplasms have a high incidence, and radical nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy are the main treatment options. Our study aims to investigate the use of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block for perioperative analgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy surgery. DesignProspective, randomized, double-blind. SettingUniversity hospital. PatientsOur study included 50 patients (ASA I-III) who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy at the hospital of Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University. InterventionsThe patients were divided into two groups: the ESPB group and the control group. In the ESPB group, a mixture of 10 mL of 1% lidocaine, 10 mL of 0.7% ropivacaine, 0.5 μg/kg dexmedetomidine, and 5 mg of dexamethasone was administered. In the control group, 20 mL of 0.9% saline was administered. MeasurementsThe primary outcome measure was the total consumption of sufentanil during the intraoperative period. Secondary outcome measures included visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores at rest and during coughing at 1 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h postoperatively, intraoperative consumption of remifentanil, frequency of rescue analgesic administration, consumption of rescue analgesia and incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting within 48 h. ResultsThe ESPB group exhibited lower intraoperative consumption of sufentanil, lower consumption of rescue analgesia, as well as VAS scores at rest and during coughing within the first 24 h postoperatively, compared to the control group. However, no significant differences were observed in VAS scores at 48 h postoperatively, postoperative nausea and vomiting, or the need for postoperative rescue analgesia. ConclusionsUltrasound-guided ESPB performed in patients who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy demonstrated a substantial decrease in intraoperative opioid consumption, as well as lower VAS scores at rest and during coughing in the postoperative period.