The Erector Spinae Plane Block as an Analgesic Regional Technique in Acute Post-Surgical Pain Control in Lumbar Surgery. Preliminary Findings of a Randomized Trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM:Severe post-operative pain is often referred by patients undergoing posterior spine surgery. Inadequate pain control affects morbidity and hospitalization length of stay.Post-operative pain in adults is commonly managed with oral and intravenous opioids with important side effect, and invasive regional techniques such as epidural blockade. Recent data has shown that the novel erector spinae plane (ESP) block, can be employed as a simple, effective and safe alternative regional analgesic technique for acute post-surgical, post-traumatic and chronic neuropathic lumbar pain in adults.The aim of the present study was to investigate the capacity of ESP block to provide successful post-operative pain management following lumbar surgery, and to assess pain scores in patients undergoing spinal surgery.