Effects of continuous erector spinae plane block on postoperative pain in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a randomized controlled study

Background The aim of this prospective, randomized, controlled study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of ultrasonography (USG) guided continuous erector spinae plane block (ESPB) for postoperative analgesia in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Methods Eighty American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III patients aged 18–75 and who were to undergo VATS were included in this study. Randomization was performed in 2 groups, continuous ESPB (ESPB Group) and no intervention (Control Group). 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine was administered for the block. Immediately after surgery, the patient received continuous infusion of 0.125% bupivacaine at 4 mL h −1 via the catheter inserted for the block. Patients in both groups received tramadol via an intravenous patient-controlled analgesia device. Tramadol and meperidine consumption, visual analog scale pain scores and opioid-related side effects were recorded at 0, 1, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h postoperatively. Results The use of continuous ESPB in VATS significantly decreased the amount of tramadol used in the first 48 h postoperatively ( P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in the number of meperidine rescue analgesia administered between the ESPB and Control Groups ( P < 0.001). While the incidences of nausea and itching were higher in Control Group, there were no differences in terms of the other side effects between the groups. Conclusions This study shows that USG-guided continuous ESPB provides adequate analgesia following VATS as part of multimodal analgesia. Continuous ESPB significantly reduced opioid consumption and opioid-related side effects compared to those in the Control Group.