Bilateral bi-level erector spinae plane blocks in scoliosis surgery: a retrospective comparative study

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effect of the ultrasound (US) guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) on pain scores, opioid requirement, patient satisfaction, and the length of hospital stay with standard analgesia methods following scoliosis surgery. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients (17 females, 10 males; mean age = 15.59 ± 3.24 years) who underwent scoliosis surgery with preoperative bilateral bilevel US-guided ESPB were the sample group, and the remaining 30 patients (20 females, 10 males; mean age = 15.57 ± 2.75 years) without ESPB were the control group. Bilateral bilevel injection ESPB was performed at two levels (T4 and T10). Postoperative pain scores, morphine consumption, patient satisfaction scores, and the number of patients requiring rescue analgesia were recorded. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to score postoperative pain. RESULTS: VAS at rest and when mobile, as well as postoperative cumulative morphine consumption in the first postoperative 24 h, was significantly lower in the ESPB group. Thirteen patients in the control group but no in the ESPB group required rescue analgesics in the postoperative period. Both the time to the requirement of the initial dose of PCA and patient satisfaction scores were significantly higher in the ESPB group (P < 0.001 for both). CONCLUSION: Given the need for improved recovery of the patients, ESPB seems to be an essential analgesic technique that may reduce both opioid consumption and the severity of the pain, thus increasing the satisfaction of the patients and decreasing the length of hospital stay. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Therapeutic Study