Abstract No.: ABS3728: Effectiveness of superficial cervical plexus block in anterior cervical spine discectomy and fixation surgeries under general anaesthesia

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Superficial cervical plexus block can provide analgesia in head and neck surgeries. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of superficial cervical plexus block in patients undergoing elective anterior cervical discectomy or fixation surgeries under general anaesthesia with respect to intraoperative and postoperative haemodynamic status and quality of analgesia. METHODS: 60 American Society of Anesthesiologists physical class-I,II patients scheduled for cervical discectomy and fixation surgeries under general anaesthesia were randomised into two groups. Group-A received ipsilateral superficial cervical plexus block using 10ml injectionbupivacaine(0.25%) post-induction of general anaesthesia. Group-B received no block but received supplemental intravenous analgesics for haemodynamic response to skin incision (if any). Intraoperatively, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, supplemental analgesics usage and postoperatively, visual analogue(VAS) scores to pain were monitored . Induction and maintenance of anaesthesia and supplemental analgesics were standardised. RESULTS: Both groups had comparable , baseline heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. However, following skin incision, there was significant rise in heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and requirement of supplemental analgesics in group-B when compared to group-a (p<0.05). Statistically insignificant changes in heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure from baseline were noted within group-A (p<0.05). Patients in group-B had higher VAS scores postoperatively needing more supplemental intravenous analgesics compared to group-A (figure 1). CONCLUSION: Ipsilateral superficial cervical plexus block is a simple, safe and effective preemptive analgesic technique in patients undergoing cervical spine discectomy and fixation surgeries under general anaesthesia.