The analgesic effect of bilateral ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block in paediatric lower abdominal surgeries: A randomised, prospective trial

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This study aims to evaluate the analgesic effect of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in paediatric lower abdominal surgeries. METHODS: Randomised, prospective trial. Forty patients, aged 2–10 years with the American Society of Anesthesiologists Score of I and II scheduled for elective lower abdominal surgery were included in the study. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomised into two groups as control group and ESPB group. Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block at L1 vertebral level was performed preoperatively using 0.5 ml/kg 0.25% bupivacaine (max 20 ml) for the patients in ESPB group. Analgesic requirements and time to first analgesic requirement were recorded and Face, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability (FLACC) scores for pain were recorded at 0, 1, 2, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h postoperatively. RESULTS: Forty patients were included in the final analyses. Significant difference was determined between the groups on post-operative morphine requirement and FLACC scores at 3 h and 6 h postoperatively (P < 0.05). Significant difference was also determined in time to first dose of rescue analgesia between the groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the ESPB provides adequate post-operative analgesia in paediatric patients undergoing lower abdominal surgery.