A prospective study of the quality and duration of analgesia with 0.25% bupivacaine in ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block for paediatric thoracotomy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Pain of open thoracotomy is treated with systemic analgesics, thoracic epidural and paravertebral blocks which have associated adverse effects and complications. Research shows ultrasound guided erector spinae plane block (US-ESPB) as a simpler and safer alternative. As paucity of data of US-ESPB in paediatric thoracotomies exists. We aimed at studying the analgesic efficacy of US-ESPB for paediatric thoracotomy. METHODS: In a prospective observational study, 30 children, 1-12 years age undergoing thoracotomy with decortication under general anaesthesia with US-ESPB were observed. At induction, patient received intravenous (IV) fentanyl 3 μg/kg for analgesia and standard general endotracheal anaesthesia was administered. US-ESPB was given at fourth thoracic vertebral level with 0.25% bupivacaine 0.3 ml/kg. Changes in haemodynamic parameters at skin incision, rib retraction, pleural incision, intercostal drain insertion, and skin closure were noted. Intraoperatively, additional fentanyl was administered, if required and its dose and time were noted. Postoperative pain was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) (0-10) for ≥6 years and by face, leg, activity, cry, consolability (FLACC) score (0-10) for <6 years at post extubation, 30 minutes and hourly postoperatively. Descriptive statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. RESULTS: Additional analgesic was not required in 14/30 patients (46.67%) intraoperatively and within 6 hours (7.4 ± 1.26) post-operatively. Five of the remaining 16 patients, required IV 1 μg/kg fentanyl only once intraoperatively. Median pain score was 2 in first four postoperative hours. CONCLUSION: US-ESPB provided effective supplemental intraoperative and postoperative analgesia in nearly half of the paediatric thoracotomy patients.