Study of efficacy of ultrasonography guided erector spinae plane block for abdominothoracic surgeries

Background: Erector spinae block (ESPB) provides analgesia by targeting the dorsal and ventral rami of the spinal nerves,performed in the lumbar region for postoperative analgesia of abdomino-thoracic surgeries. This study was aimed to assess the efficacy of Erector spinae block (ESPB) on postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing abdominothoracic surgeries under general anesthesia. Material and Methods: Present study was prospective, randomized, comparative study, conducted in patients with 18-70 years age, ASA grade- I/II, posted for abdominothoracic surgeries, Mallampatti scores - I and II, consented for participation. 120 patients were randomly assigned into two groups of 60 each, to either Erector spine block group (Group 1) or conventional pain killers (Group 2). Results: General characteristics such as age, height, weight, BMI were comparable in both groups and difference was not statistically significant. The postoperative systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and Mean post-operative VAS score difference was statistically significant, from 30 minutes post-operative to 480 mins (8 hours). Group 1 have significantly less amount opioid requirement as none of the patients required inj tramadol more than 100 mg and only 5 (8.33%) cases required 100 mg whereas in the Group 2 73.33% required inj tramadol more than 100 mg and 8.55% required 175 mg. Group 1 have significantly long period of opioid free time as during first 2 hours none of the patients required inj tramadol whereas in the Group 2 83.33% required inj tramadol in the first 2 hours. Conclusion: In our study we concluded that the analgesic efficacy of Ultrasound guided Erector spinae block is an effective procedure over systemic analgesics and provide better patient satisfaction and compliance