Background
Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a relatively new type of regional anesthesia that has demonstrated efficacy in pain management. The study uses ultrasound (US) guidance to perform the ESPB and evaluates its efficacy and safety compared to the traditional caudal block (CB) in managing postoperative pain in children undergoing lower limb surgeries.
Methods
This randomized controlled double-blind trial enrolled 50 pediatric cases aged 2–15 years planned for lower limb surgeries. Cases were classified into two equal groups that were administered 0.25% bupivacaine (0.5 ml/Kg) via CB (group C) or lumbar ESPB at the side of operation (group E). The blocks were US guided after induction of anesthesia before skin incision.
Results
Heart rate and mean arterial pressure at 45, 60, and 75 min, and at the end of surgery were reduced in group C contrasted to group E ( < 0.05). Pain scores at 6 h and 8 h were reduced significantly in group E ( < 0.001 and 0.049 respectively). The time of block performance was significantly lower in group C compared to group E. The number of patients who required intraoperative fentanyl was comparable between groups. Group E had prolonged analgesia and less postoperative pethidine doses. Neither group exhibited local anesthetic toxicity or hematoma with lower incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in Group E ( = 0.042).
Conclusion
In pediatric cases undergoing lower limb surgeries, US-guided ESPB provided adequate analgesia (better pain score and prolonged analgesia with lower postoperative analgesic doses) with stable hemodynamic and lower incidence of PONV.