Ultrasound-Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Surgery

Background: In this retrospective observational study, we evaluated patients who underwent elective lumbar stenosis surgery between February 1, 2019, and April 1, 2019. Patients who underwent surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis under general anesthesia alone were compared with those who underwent general anesthesia combined with erector spinae plane block. Aims: We aimed to retrospectively evaluate whether erector spinae plane block reduced opioid consumption following surgery for spinal stenosis. Study Design: A retrospective observational study. Methods: We collected data on the pain scores, time for the first requirement for patient-controlled analgesia with tramadol, the cumulative patient-controlled analgesia dose, requirement for rescue analgesia, time to first stand up postoperatively and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Results: Sixty patients were included in the study. The numerical rating scale’s pain scores were significantly lower in the erector spinae plane group at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 hours than in the general anesthesia group. The cumulative dose of patient-controlled analgesia with tramadol was higher in the general anesthesia group than in the ESP group [212.0 (6.6) mg, vs. 107.3 (36.9 mg), (p <0.001)]. The time to first stand up after surgery was significantly longer in the general anesthesia group (p = 0.011). Conclusion: ESP block appear to be an effective method to relieve pain after lumbar surgery.