Use Of Erector Spinae Plane Block Research Articles

Evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of erector spinae plane block during coronary artery bypass surgery: a randomized clinical trial

The search for a method of perioperative pain control after coronary bypass surgery is relevant both from the point of view of safety and effectiveness of the methods used.Aim: To evaluate the hemodynamic changes and effectiveness of erector spinae plane block (ESPB) for off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.Methodology and research methods. The prospective randomized single-center study included 45 patients equally distributed according to the applied methods of perioperative analgesia into 3 groups: general anesthesia with epidural anesthesia (GA + EA group, n = 15), general anesthesia with ESPB (GA + ESPB group, n = 15) and general anesthesia without any regional anesthesia techniques (GA group, n = 15). Assessment of hemodynamics and severity of pain syndrome was performed during the first postoperative day.Results. The intraoperative dose of fentanyl was 0.4 (0.4–0.5) mg in the GA + EA group, and 0.4 (0.3–0.4) mg in the GA + ESPB group that is significantly less than in the GA group – 1.1 (1.0–1.1) mg (p < 0.001). Postoperatively, the dose of fentanyl was 0.10±0.04 mg in the GA + EA group and 0.23±0.05 mg in the GA group (p < 0.001), whereas in the ESPB group fentanyl was not used. The pain level assessed by the numeric rating scale (NRS) was 3.0 (2.0–4.0) points at one hour after tracheal extubation and 3.0 (0.5–3.5) points at the end of the first day of the postoperative period without difference between the groups. The systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics, respiratory and vasopressor support did not differ as well.Conclusion. The use of regional anesthesia (EA and ESPB) provides similar quality of perioperative analgesia like general anesthesia, but leads to reduction in opioid doses. Postoperatively, the use of ESPB does not lead to a deterioration of the hemodynamic status of the patient.

Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) for intractable, non-surgical abdominal pain: a scoping review.

Abdominal pain is one of the most common presenting chief complaints in the emergency department (ED). Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is an ultrasound-guided nerve block with proven effectiveness in treating visceral and somatic abdominal pain. Despite the increasing popularity of ESPB, its role in the management of non-surgical abdominal pain has not yet been characterized. Our scoping review aims to review the current literature on the safety and efficacy of ESPB in the management of patients experiencing intractable, non-surgical abdominal pain. We searched PubMed and Scopus to evaluate the existing literature on ESPB for non-surgical abdominal pain. Reviewers screened 30 titles and abstracts that met the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Following initial screening, 24 articles underwent full-text review. Two reviewers also screened references included in each study. A total of 14 journal articles were reviewed, including 12 case-based studies, one systematic review, and one narrative review of ESPB in the treatment of non-surgical abdominal pain. All cases described the successful use of ESPB in treating abdominal pain refractory to oral or intravenous analgesic medications, and each case reported no complications. This scoping review provides support for ESPB in the management of intractable, non-surgical abdominal pain. ESPB demonstrates efficacy in alleviating various conditions such as functional abdominal pain, renal colic, pancreatitis, herpetic pain, and cancer-related pain. Theoretical risks such as pneumothorax, bleeding, and infection are possible, although the studies reviewed did not report such complications.

The Use of Erector Spinae Plane Block Reduces Opioid Consumption and Pain Score in Postoperative Period After Hip Surgery: A Meta-Analysis.

Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a relatively new regional anesthesia block that has been used in thoracic and abdominal surgeries with variable success. ESPB can easily be administered using an ultrasound technique with a safer profile. Recently, there have been few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the role of ESPB in hip surgeries. A current meta-analysis was done to evaluate the role of ESPB block in controlling postoperative pain after hip surgeries. PRISMA guidelines were followed to perform this meta-analysis. We used online databases including Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library. This review was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) database as ID-CRD42023445516 in July 2023. We included studies that reported opioid use, pain control after surgery, and side effects associated with ESPB for hip surgeries. The ReviewManager software, i.e., RevMan for Mac 5.4 (Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, UK), was utilized to conduct this meta-analysis. We included five RCTs during this meta-analysis. Our results demonstrated that the use of ESPB in hip surgery caused a significant decrease in 24-hour postoperative opioid consumption (p=0.02). ESPB also resulted in a significant decrease in pain scores up to nine hours postoperatively (p<0.05).

Retrospective Analyses of Sacral Erector Spinae Plane Blocks in Pediatric Patients

Objective: The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) was first described in 2016. Recently the use of ESPB at the sacral levels was defined for adult surgeries, and a modification of the technique for pediatric surgeries, with the claim that it could replace caudal blocks, was described by our clinic. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was approved by the institutional ethical committee of Kocaeli University Hospital (GOKAEK-2021/6.04). The data were obtained from the registry of regional anesthesia saved in the department. Pre- and perioperative data regarding age, height, weight, American Society of Anesthesiologist classification, surgery duration, and anesthesia duration during the perioperative period were collected. US-guided S-ESPB was successfully applied to 16 patients included in the retrospective study. The registry of regional anesthesia data includes detailed information on block performance, postoperative pain severity, and complications in the early postoperative period (for at least 24 h). Results: 16 pediatric patients were included in the retrospective study. The mean age of the patients was 21,5 months. The mean weight of the patients was 13,1kg. In the postoperative 24-hour follow-up, one patient had a The Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) score greater than 4 in the PACU. None of the patients were observed to have postoperative complications. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this study is the first to retrospectively investigate the efficacy of the S-ESPB in pain management in pediatric patients. The sacral ESPB appears to be an effective option for postoperative pain in pediatric patients undergoing lower abdominal surgery.

Efficacy of erector spinae plane block for postoperative analgesia lumbar surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectivesThe erector spinae plane (ESP) block is a newly defined regional anesthesia technique first described in 2016. The aim of this meta-analysis is to assess the efficacy of ESP block in improving analgesia following lumbar surgery.MethodsPubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the analgesic efficacy of the ESP block with non-block care for lumbar surgery from inception 3 August 2021. The primary outcomes were postoperative opioid consumption and pain scores during the first 24 h. Postoperative pain was measured as pain at rest and on movement at postoperative 0, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h expressed on a visual analog scale (VAS), where 0 = no pain and 10 = the most severe pain.Results11 studies involving 775 patients were included in our analysis. The use of ESP block significantly decreased 24-h opioid consumption (WMD, -8.70; 95% CI, -10.48 to -6.93; I2 = 97.5%; P < 0.001) compared with the non-block. Moreover, ESP block reduced pain scores at postoperative time-points up to 24 h. ESP block also prolonged the time to first analgesic request (WMD = 6.93; 95% CI: 3.44 to 10.43, I2 = 99.8%; P < 0.001). There was less PONV with ESP block versus non-block group (RR, 0.354; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.56; I2 = 25.2%; P < 0.001), but no difference in pruritus.ConclusionsESP block provides less opioid consumption and PONV, lower pain scores, and longer time to first analgesic request in patients undergoing lumbar surgery compared to general anesthesia alone.

Bilateral Erector Spinae Plane Block for Man o' War Stings: A Case Report.

The Portuguese man o' war, an aquatic invertebrate, is responsible for a large proportion of cnidarian stings worldwide. Cnidaria is a phylum that contains the genus Physalia. These injuries result in severe pain and skin irritation, which are often difficult to control. Traditionally, cnidarian stings have been treated by emergency physicians with warm water, vinegar and, in severe cases, opioids. However, no concrete guidelines have been established for pain management in man o' war stings. Regional anesthesia (RA) is an increasingly used method of pain control in the emergency department. In the case of a 41-year-old female experiencing severe pain from a Portuguese man o' war sting, RA with an erector spinae plane block (ESPB) provided her with rapid and long-lasting pain relief. The standard of care has yet to be defined when managing pain from Physalia physalis stings. Although this is the first documented use of ESPB for treatment of cnidarian stings, RA should be considered by any emergency physician when treating injuries caused by a Portuguese man o' war.

Effect of erector spinae plane block on postoperative analgesia after pediatric hip surgery: Randomized controlled study.

Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in pediatric patients presenting for hip surgery may improve the postoperative analgesia. The study aimed to investigate the effect of ultrasound-guided ESPB on postoperative analgesia after a pediatric hip surgery. Forty children scheduled for hip surgeries were included in this trial and randomly distributed into; Control group, patients received sham ultrasound-guided ESPB at the level of L3 or ESPB group, patients received real ultrasound-guided ESPB at the level of L3 with an injection of 0.4ml/kg of plain bupivacaine 0.25%. The time for the first call of rescue analgesia, intraoperative fentanyl consumption, postoperative morphine consumption, Children's Hospital Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (CHEOPS), and Objective Behavioral Pain score (OPS) were recorded. As compared to the control group, the use of ESPB significantly prolonged the time for first request of rescue analgesia from 170.50±44.066 to 256.50±66.434min (p<0.0001), decreased the intraoperative fentanyl consumption from 1.025±0.379 to 0.775±0.343μg/kg (p=0.035), decreased the postoperative morphine consumption from 0.105±0.036 to 0.065±0.023mg/kg (p=0.0002). Also, it significantly decreased postoperative CHEOPS and OPS scores 2, 4, and 6h after the surgery (p<0.05) with an insignificant difference between the two groups at all other time intervals (p˃0.05). The use of ESPB in pediatric patients undergoing hip surgery prolonged the time for the first call of analgesia, decreased the intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption, and decreased the postoperative pain.

Regional methods of anesthesia in labor pain relief: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION: Today epidural anesthesia is the “golden standard” of anesthesia. But what can we do if the application of an epidural catheter is contraindicated? The use of narcotic analgesics can hardly be deemed a worthy alternative. OBJECTIVE: To identify alternative regional methods of anesthesia in labour pain relief. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have performed a systematic review of literature in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) guideline principles. The bibliographic search was conducted in January-March 2022. The search was performed in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, eLibrary.ru, Cochrane Library databases. The search keywords were: anesthesia of childbirth, pudendal block, paracervical block, paravertebral block, quadratic lumbar muscle (QLB) block, erector spinae plane block (ESPB). We found 122 works, and after removing 94 works for various reasons, 28 works were analyzed. RESULTS: We found 122 works, and after removing 94 works for various reasons, 28 works were analyzed. We identified six randomized controlled trials related to the subject matter, but the endpoints were heterogeneous preventing a statistical analysis; therefore, we performed a qualitative review of the literature. Works dedicated to paravertebral and paracervial blocks showed sufficient effectiveness of anesthesia for the second period of labor. Good results of anesthesia of the second period of labor were also described with the use of ESPB and bilateral QLB. Nevertheless, it is impossible to draw statistically significant conclusions on the use of ESPB and QLB due to the small sample. Articles devoted to the use of pudendal block in labour revealed its low effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: The described results show that paravertebral, ESPB and QLB blocks can be used as alternative regional methods of anesthesia in labour. However, further research is required to assess the effectiveness of their use in childbirth.

Ultrasound guided erector spinae plane catheter for thoracotomy: a case report

Major thoracic surgery results in severe postoperative pain. Epidural analgesia is considered the gold standard for pain management after thoracic surgery. However, epidural blocks are contraindicated in certain clinical conditions. Pain management in such patients poses a unique challenge to the anesthesiologists. Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a less invasive and relatively new technique, which has shown promising results. This case report describes the use of ESPB as an alternate analgesic technique. A 65-year-old man underwent thoracotomy and left upper lobe resection. Intraoperative and postoperative pain was managed with intermittent boluses of bupivacaine through the erector spinae plane catheter. Effective analgesia was achieved with minimal morphine consumption in postoperative period. Although central neuraxial blocks are considered to be gold standard for major thoracic surgery but where applicable, alternatives can be opted for better patient outcomes.&#x0D; Key words: Analgesia; Erector spinae plane block; Thoracotomy; Pain control; Neuraxial analgesia&#x0D; Citation: Usman A, Khan AW, Ijaz MK. Ultrasound guided erector spinae plane catheter for thoracotomy: a case report. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2021;25(6):812–815;&#x0D; DOI: 10.35975/apic.v25i6.1707&#x0D; Received: August 16, 2021, Reviewed: October 28, 2021, Accepted: October 31, 2021

Opioid-sparing effects of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block for adult patients undergoing surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a new method of administering analgesics to patients perioperatively. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the opioid-sparing effects of erector spinae plane block in patients during the perioperative period compared to conventional analgesia and identify its role in the development of opioid-free anesthesia. Relevant study articles were retrieved from PubMed, the Web of Science, Medline via Ovid, Embase via Ovid, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) on June 11, 2020. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the use of ESPB with control (no/sham block). The primary outcome was opioid consumption at 24h after surgery and intraoperative opioid consumption. A random-effects model was used to calculate the standardized mean difference (SMD) and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) if there was significant heterogeneity in the data; otherwise, the fixed-effect model was used. A total of 25 randomized controlled trials involving 1461 patients were included. The use of ultrasound-guided ESPB was associated with reduced opioid consumption at 24h after surgery [SMD: -2.14, 95% CI: -2.61 to -1.67, p<0.001] and during the intraoperative period [SMD: -2.30, 95% CI: -3.21 to -1.40, p<0.001]. In addition, it took a longer time to administer the first rescue analgesia in the ESPB group [SMD: 3.60, 95% CI: 2.23-4.97, p<0.001] and the group was associated with lower incidences of postoperative nausea or vomiting (PONV) [OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.34-0.72, p<0.001]. Ultrasound-guided ESPB could provide an opioid-sparing effect and effective analgesia in adults undergoing surgeries with general anesthesia, and then promote opioid-free anesthesia development.

Bilateral versus unilateral erector spinae plane block for postoperative analgesia in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized controlled study

IntroductionLaparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the common surgical intervention for benign biliary diseases. Postoperative pain after LC remains as an important problem, with two components: somatic and visceral. Trocar entry incisions lead to somatic pain, while peritoneal distension with diaphragm irritation leads to visceral pain. Following its description by Forero et al., the erector spinae plane (ESP) block acquired considerable popularity among clinicians. This led to the use of ESP block for postoperative pain management for various operations. Materials and methodsThis study was conducted between January and June 2019. Patients aged between 18 and 65 years with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I.ÇôII, scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in the study. All the patients received bilateral or unilateral ESP block at the T8 level preoperatively according to their groups. ResultsThere was no significant difference between the groups in terms NRS scores either at rest or while coughing at any time interval except for postoperative 6th hour (p = 0.023). Morphine consumption was similar between the groups but was significantly lower in group B at 12 and 24 hours (p = 0.044 and p = 0.022, respectively). Twelve patients in group A and three patients in group B had shoulder pain and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.011). DiscussionIn conclusion, bilateral ESP block provided more effective analgesia than unilateral ESP block in patients undergoing elective LC. Bilateral ESP block reduced the amount of opioid consumption and the incidence of postoperative shoulder pain.

Safety of Erector Spinae Plane Blocks in Patients With Chest Wall Trauma on Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis

BackgroundCurrent guidelines for severe rib fractures recommend neuraxial blockade in addition to multimodal pain therapies. While the guidelines for venous thromboembolism prevention recommend chemoprophylaxis, these medications must be held for neuraxial blockade placement. Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a newly described block for thoracic pain control. Advantages include its quick learning curve and potential for less bleeding complications. We describe the use of ESPB for rib fractures in patients on chemoprophylaxis. We hypothesize that ESPB can be performed in this patient population without holding chemoprophylaxis. Materials and methodsThis was a retrospective observational cohort study of a level 1 trauma center from 9/2016 to 12/2018. All patients with trauma with rib fractures undergoing neuraxial blockade or ESPB were included. Demographics, chemoprophylaxis and anticoagulation regimens, outcomes, and complications were collected. ResultsNine hundred sixty-four patients with rib fracture(s) were admitted. Of these, 73 had a pain management consult. Thirteen had epidural catheters and 25 had ESPBs placed. There was no difference in demographics, injury patterns, bleeding complications, or venous thromboembolism rates among the groups. Patients with ESPB were less likely to have a dose of chemoprophylaxis held because of placement of a catheter (25% versus 100%, P < 0.00001). Three patients with ESPB were on oral anticoagulation on admission, and two were able to continue their regimen during placement. ConclusionsESPB can be safely placed in patients on chemoprophylaxis. It should be considered over traditional blocks in patients with blunt chest wall trauma because of its technical ease and ability to be performed with chemoprophylaxis.

Daring discourse: should the ESP block be renamed RIP II block?

During the time period 1984 to the turn of the millennium, interpleural nerve blockade was touted as a very useful regional anesthetic nerve blockade for most procedures or conditions that...

Erector Spinae Plane Block for Lumbar Spinal Surgery: A Systematic Review.

BackgroundErector spinae plane block (ESPB) as a new trunk fascia block technique was proposed in 2016. ESPB has aroused the interest of many nerve block experts. However, there are few clinical studies on ESPB for lumbar surgery, and its effectiveness and safety are controversial. The goal of this review is to summarize the use of ESPB for lumbar spine surgery in order to better understand this technique.MethodsPubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library and ClinicalTrial.gov databases were searched up to July 30, 2019. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria established in advance, “lumbar spine surgery” and “ESPB” related MesH terms and free-text words were used. Data on pain scores, analgesic consumptions and adverse effects were reported. All processes follow PRISMA statement guidelines.ResultsA total of 171 participants from 11 publications were identified, including two randomized controlled trials (RCTs), one retrospective cohort study, four case reports and four cases series. Block operation planes from T8 to L4. The main anesthetics used in the block are bupivacaine, ropivacaine and lidocaine. There was evidence for reducing postoperative pain scores and analgesic consumptions.ConclusionThe effectiveness and safety of ESPB for lumbar spine surgery are still controversial. The current evidence is insufficient to support the widespread use of ESPB for lumbar spine surgery. High-quality RCTs are urgently needed.

P143: The use of the erector spinae plane block to decrease pain and opioid consumption in the emergency department: A literature review

Introduction: Acute pain represents one of the most common reasons for emergency department (ED) visits. In the opioid epidemic that North America faces, there is a significant demand for novel pain control modalities that are both safe and effective. Regional anesthesia techniques have revolutionized perioperative pain management, and they are currently thought to be indicated for acute pain relief in the ED. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a novel regional block that has the ability to block multidermatomal sensation, including cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions, depending on the vertebral level at which the anesthetic is injected along the erector spinae muscle. Under ultrasound guidance, the landmarks involved are easy to identify, and there are no vital structures in the immediate vicinity of the site of injection. By reviewing the literature on ESPB, this review aims to summarize all its indications and efficacy for acute pain management in the ED. Methods: In April 2019, PUBMED, EMBASE, MEDLINE as well as CINAHL databases were systematically searched for articles discussing the use of ESPB in the ED. In compliance with the PRISMA guidelines, the search results were selected against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Due to the novelty of the block, all types of articles were included. Results: Ten studies on 7 different indications have been published on the use of ESPB in the ED. It is currently most commonly used for rib and spine fractures. Other indications include, mechanical back pain, burn injuries, herpes zoster, renal colic, and acute pancreatitis. ESPB was administered at the vertebral level of region of most pain, unilaterally or bilaterally for complete dermatomal block. It was injected as a single or continuous block - in the seated, lateral, or prone position. All of the studies demonstrate a significant reduction in pain. Furthermore, it has been reported to improve respiratory function, and it has not been associated with any complications following administration. Conclusion: This review shows initial data on the promising effect of ESPB in acute pain management in the ED. Current evidence shows its effectiveness and safety for the most common presenting cases of pain, such as rib and spine fracture, mechanical back pain, burn injuries, herpes zoster, renal colic, as well as acute pancreatitis. ESPB is flexible in administration and relatively easy to perform under ultrasound guidance.

The Use of the Erector Spinae Plane Block to Decrease Pain and Opioid Consumption in the Emergency Department: ALiterature Review.

Acute pain represents one of the most common reasons for emergency department (ED) visits. In the opioid epidemic that North America faces, there is a significant demand for novel effective pain control modalities, especially in the acute setting. The goal of this study was to review all the indications and summarize the efficacy of the Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) in the ED. PubMed, EMBASE, and MEDLINE, as well as CINAHL databases were searched according to the PRISMA guidelines to find any study reporting on the use of ESPB in the ED. Ten studies were published reporting on seven different indications for the use of ESPB in the ED. It was most commonly used for rib and spine fractures. Other indications included: mechanical pain, burn injuries, herpes zoster, renal colic, and acute pancreatitis. All the studies demonstrated a significant reduction in pain after administration of ESPB. Furthermore, it has been reported to improve respiratory function and was not associated with any complications after administration. ESPB is an easy-to-administer interfascial plane block that has several indications and promising potential for acute pain management in the ED. The easily identified landmarks coupled with its low complication rate makes it an appealing technique to be used by emergency physicians in the context of acute pain management. Further studies should investigate any other possible indications and compare its efficacy with other techniques, such as epidurals and serratus anterior blocks.

Efficacy of Bilateral Erector Spinae Plane Block in Management of Acute Postoperative Surgical Pain After Pediatric Cardiac Surgeries Through a Midline Sternotomy

Regional analgesia continues to evolve with the introduction of ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks. Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a novel technique gaining recent acceptability as a perioperative modality of analgesia in various thoracic and abdominal surgeries. However, literature on the use of ESPB in pediatric cardiac surgery is limited. A prospective, randomized, single-blind, comparative study. Single-institution tertiary referral cardiac center. Eighty children with acyanotic congenital heart disease undergoing cardiac surgery through midline sternotomy. The subjects were allocated randomly into 2 groups: ESPB (group B, n = 40) received ultrasound-guided bilateral ESPB at the level of T3 transverse process and control (group C, n = 40) receiving no block. The postoperative pain was assessed using Modified Objective Pain Scores (MOPS) which were evaluated at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 hours after extubation. Group B demonstrated significantly reduced MOPS as compared with group C until the 10th postoperative hour (p < 0.0001), with comparable MOPS at the 12th hour. The consumption of postoperative rescue fentanyl was also significantly less in group B in comparison to group C (p < 0.0001) with a longer duration to first rescue dose requirement in group B. In addition, the group B showed lower postoperative sedation scores and intensive care unit stay in contrast to group C. Ultrasound-guided bilateral ESPB presents a simple, innovative, reliable, and effective postoperative analgesic modality for pediatric cardiac surgeries contemplated through a midline sternotomy.

Expanding Role of the Erector Spinae Plane Block for Postoperative and Chronic Pain Management.

The erector spinae plane block (ESPB), first described in 2016, offers the promise of becoming a safe, less invasive, and technically less demanding alternative to conventional thoracic regional anesthetic techniques including thoracic epidurals and traditional paravertebral blocks. Clinical and cadaveric studies suggest that ESPB acts on the ventral rami of spinal nerves in the paravertebral space via penetration of the intertransverse connection tissues and moreover achieves visceral analgesia via the rami communicantes and sympathetic chain. The block has garnered considerable appeal related to an inherently lower risk of neurovascular and pleural injury, low risk of local anesthetic systemic toxicity, and relative technical simplicity in comparison with epidural or paravertebral blockade. It has been utilized in the treatment of acute perioperative pain in a variety of clinical applications including breast, thoracic, and abdominal surgeries and trauma and may even offer some benefit in spine surgery. Given the combination of its efficacy and decreased associated risk when performed for perioperative pain, use of ESPB should be further explored for the management of chronic pain. Current literature at this time is limited to case studies and series performed by select groups. Though it is important to consider ESPB for chronic pain, further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the ESPB in the management of both acute and chronic pain.