Comparing erector spinae plane block with serratus anterior plane block for minimally invasive thoracic surgery: a randomised clinical trial

Abstract Background Thoracic surgery is one of the most painful surgeries. Effective analgesia is important in postoperative pain management. In this study, we aimed to compare the two new fascial block techniques. Methods A total of 107 patients who underwent thoracic surgery between October 2018 and November 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. The study included 59 patients in the serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) group and 48 patients in the erector spinae plane block (ESPB) group. Both groups were administered 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine and their morphine consumption was evaluated by a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) method during the 2nd, 6th, 12th, 24th, and 48th postoperative hours. Pain was measured with the visual analog scale (VAS). Intraoperative mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded. Results During the first 24 hours, VAS values were significantly lower in the ESPB group (p < 0.05). Moreover, morphine consumption was significantly lower in the ESPB group in the 24th and 48th hours (p < 0.05). Intraoperative remifentanil consumption was also significantly lower in the ESPB group (p < 0.05). Intraoperative MAP in the ESPB group was found to be significantly lower after the 4th hour. HR was similar in both groups. Conclusion ESPB was more effective compared with SAPB in postoperative thoracic pain management.

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A Randomized Trial to Compare Serratus Anterior Plane Block and Erector Spinae Plane Block for Pain Management Following Thoracoscopic Surgery

Pain Medicine ◽

10.1093/pm/pnaa101 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (6) ◽

pp. 1248-1254

Author(s):

Mürsel Ekinci ◽

Bahadir Ciftci ◽

Birzat Emre Gölboyu ◽

Yavuz Demiraran ◽

Yusuf Bayrak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Trial ◽

Thoracoscopic Surgery ◽

Opioid Consumption ◽

Erector Spinae ◽

Serratus Anterior ◽

Erector Spinae Plane Block ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Vas Scores ◽

Anterior Plane ◽

Effective Analgesia

Abstract Objective Comparison of ultrasound (US)-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) and serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) in video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) patients. The primary outcome was to compare perioperative and postoperative (48 hours) opioid consumption. Methods A total of 60 patients were randomized into two groups (N = 30): an ESPB group and an SAPB group. All the patients received intravenous patient-controlled postoperative analgesia and ibuprofen 400 mg intravenously every eight hours. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores, opioid consumption, and adverse events were recorded. Results Intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption at 0–8, 8–16, and 16–24 hours and rescue analgesic use were significantly lower in the ESPB group (P < 0.05). Static/dynamic VAS scores were significantly lower in the ESPB group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between static VAS scores at the fourth hour. There were no differences between adverse effects. Block procedure time and one-time puncture success were similar between groups (P > 0.05 each). Conclusion US-guided ESPB may provide better pain control than SAPB after VATS. Question Even though there are studies about analgesia management after VATS, clinicians want to perform the technique that is both less invasive and more effective. Findings This randomized trial showed that US-guided ESPB provides effective analgesia compared with SAPB. Meaning Performing single-injection ESPB reduces VAS scores and opioid consumption compared with SAPB.

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