Ultrasound-Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block versus Modified-Thoracolumbar Interfascial Plane Block for Lumbar Discectomy Surgery: A Randomized, Controlled Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to compare the ultrasound (US)-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) and modified-thoracolumbar interfascial plane (mTLIP) block for postoperative pain management in lumbar discectomy surgery patients.

Methods: A total of 90 patients scheduled for lumbar discectomy were randomly assigned into 3 groups (n = 30 per group): an ESPB group, an mTLIP group, and a control group. In the ESPB and mTLIP groups, a single-shot US-guided block was administered with 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine bilaterally. All patients received intravenous patient-controlled postoperative analgesia with fentanyl, and 1 g intravenous paracetamol every 6 hours. Fentanyl consumption, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores, rescue analgesia, block procedure time, and side-effects were evaluated.

Results: Postoperative opioid consumption at all time intervals were significantly lower both in ESPB and mTLIP groups compared with the control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed concerning intra- and postoperative opioid consumption between the ESPB and the mTLIP group (P < 0.001). Passive VAS score at the postanesthesia care unit, second, fourth, and eighth hours, and active VAS score at the postanesthesia care unit, second, fourth, eighth, and 16th hours were significantly lower in the ESPB and mTLIP groups compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The use of rescue analgesia was significantly lower in the ESPB and mTLIP groups than in the control group (9/30, 7/30, and 21/30, respectively, P < 0.001). The block procedure time was similar between groups (P = 0.198).

Conclusions: US-guided ESPB and mTLIP block may provide adequate pain control after discectomy surgery. However, there is a nonsuperiority between ESPB and the mTLIP groups.

Keywords: Erector spinae plane block; Lumbar discectomy surgery; Modified-thoracolumbar interfascial plane block; Postoperative analgesia.