Diana Zamudio (M.D.), Laura Fernández (M.D.), Andrea Rodríguez (M.D.), David Delgado (M.D.)
{"title":"Postoperative erector spinae plane block does not reduce morphine consumption after lumbar spinal fusion: A randomized controlled trial","authors":"Diana Zamudio (M.D.), Laura Fernández (M.D.), Andrea Rodríguez (M.D.), David Delgado (M.D.)","doi":"10.1016/j.jclinane.2025.112022","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Postoperative pain management following spinal fusion surgery remains challenging, with opioids being the mainstay of treatment despite their potential adverse effects. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) has emerged as a promising regional anesthetic technique, but its efficacy in lumbar spinal fusion surgery remains controversial.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In this randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, we enrolled adult patients undergoing elective open posterior lumbar arthrodesis between December 2021 and July 2024. Patients were randomized to receive either bilateral ultrasound-guided ESPB with levobupivacaine (ESPB group) or no block (control group) at the end of surgery. The primary outcome was morphine consumption during the first 24 postoperative hours. Secondary outcomes included 48-h morphine consumption, pain scores at different time points, functional recovery milestones, opioid-related side effects and block complications.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Ninety-three patients completed the study. No significant differences in 24-h (18 mg [IQR 11–28] vs 21 mg [IQR 13–34], <em>P</em> = 0.258) or 48-h morphine consumption were observed between the ESPB and control groups. The ESPB group demonstrated lower pain scores at initial evaluation, 6 h, and 12 h postoperatively, as well as earlier initial mobilization, shorter urinary catheter duration, and reduced incidence of dizziness. Subgroup analyses revealed superior pain control and earlier mobilization with ESPB in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion procedures and multilevel surgeries. No block-related complications were reported.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Although postoperative bilateral ultrasound-guided ESPB provided statistically significant improvements in early pain scores and mobilization, these differences did not translate into reduced morphine consumption or meaningful clinical benefits in patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion surgery. The optimal role of this technique in spine surgery remains to be determined.</div></div><div><h3>Trial registration</h3><div>EudraCT 2020–000135-47.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15506,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical Anesthesia","volume":"107 ","pages":"Article 112022"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Clinical Anesthesia","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0952818025002831","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"ANESTHESIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Postoperative pain management following spinal fusion surgery remains challenging, with opioids being the mainstay of treatment despite their potential adverse effects. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) has emerged as a promising regional anesthetic technique, but its efficacy in lumbar spinal fusion surgery remains controversial.
Methods
In this randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, we enrolled adult patients undergoing elective open posterior lumbar arthrodesis between December 2021 and July 2024. Patients were randomized to receive either bilateral ultrasound-guided ESPB with levobupivacaine (ESPB group) or no block (control group) at the end of surgery. The primary outcome was morphine consumption during the first 24 postoperative hours. Secondary outcomes included 48-h morphine consumption, pain scores at different time points, functional recovery milestones, opioid-related side effects and block complications.
Results
Ninety-three patients completed the study. No significant differences in 24-h (18 mg [IQR 11–28] vs 21 mg [IQR 13–34], P = 0.258) or 48-h morphine consumption were observed between the ESPB and control groups. The ESPB group demonstrated lower pain scores at initial evaluation, 6 h, and 12 h postoperatively, as well as earlier initial mobilization, shorter urinary catheter duration, and reduced incidence of dizziness. Subgroup analyses revealed superior pain control and earlier mobilization with ESPB in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion procedures and multilevel surgeries. No block-related complications were reported.
Conclusions
Although postoperative bilateral ultrasound-guided ESPB provided statistically significant improvements in early pain scores and mobilization, these differences did not translate into reduced morphine consumption or meaningful clinical benefits in patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion surgery. The optimal role of this technique in spine surgery remains to be determined.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Clinical Anesthesia (JCA) addresses all aspects of anesthesia practice, including anesthetic administration, pharmacokinetics, preoperative and postoperative considerations, coexisting disease and other complicating factors, cost issues, and similar concerns anesthesiologists contend with daily. Exceptionally high standards of presentation and accuracy are maintained.
The core of the journal is original contributions on subjects relevant to clinical practice, and rigorously peer-reviewed. Highly respected international experts have joined together to form the Editorial Board, sharing their years of experience and clinical expertise. Specialized section editors cover the various subspecialties within the field. To keep your practical clinical skills current, the journal bridges the gap between the laboratory and the clinical practice of anesthesiology and critical care to clarify how new insights can improve daily practice.