Erector spinae plane block versus its combination with superficial parasternal intercostal plane block for postoperative pain after cardiac surgery: a prospective, randomized, double-blind study

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare the effectiveness of bilateral erector spinae plane (ESP) block and superficial parasternal intercostal plane (S-PIP) + ESP block in acute post-sternotomy pain following cardiac surgery. METHODS: Forty-seven patients aged between 18 and 80 years of age with American Society of Anesthesiologists class II–III due to undergo median sternotomy for cardiac surgery were included in this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study. Following randomization into two groups, one group received bilateral ultrasound-guided ESP and the other S-PIP plus ESP block. Morphine consumption within the first 24 h after surgery was the primary outcome of the study while NRS scores at rest, NRS scores when coughing, time taken until extubation, use of rescue analgesic, presence of nausea/vomiting, length of hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and patient satisfaction were secondary outcome measures. RESULTS: Morphine use up to 24 h following surgery was statistically significantly different between the ESP block and ESP + S-PIP block groups (18.63 ± 6.60 [15.84–21.41] mg/24 h vs 14.41 ± 5.38 [12.08–16.74] mg/24 h, p = 0.021). The ESP + S-PIP block group had considerably reduced pain scores compared to the ESP block group across all time points. Rescue analgesics were required in 21 (87.5%) patients in the ESP block group and seven (30.4%) in the ESP + S-PIP group (p < 0.001). PONV, length of stay in the ICU and hospital, and time to extubation were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In open cardiac surgery, the combination of ESP and S-PIP blocks lowers pain scores and postoperative morphine requirement of patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials Registration No: NCT05191953, Registration Date: 14/01/2022. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12871-022-01832-0.