Bilateral Ultrasound-Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block For Postoperative Analgesia in Breast Reduction Surgery

Bilateral Ultrasound-Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block For Postoperative Analgesia in Breast Reduction Surgery: A Prospective, Randomized and Controlled Trial

Erector spinae plane (ESP) block is a novel block developed by Forero to treat severe neuropathic pain and was firstly reported in 2016. Anatomical and radiological investigations in fresh cadavers indicate that its site of action is likely at the dorsal and ventral rami of the thoracic spinal nerves. The ESP block has a clear and simple sonoanatomy, it is easy to perform, not time consuming and generally well tolerated by the patients. So, the investigators believed that the ESP block may be an effective and safer alternative to paravertebral block, epidural analgesia and other myofascial thoracic wall blocks in breast surgery and designed a prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled trial for pain management.

Inclusion Criteria:

• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II, 18-65 years of age, adult, female patients undergoing elective breast reduction surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• Coagulopathy
• Allergy to amide-type local anesthetics
• Infection at the ESP block injection site
• Severe obesity (BMI > 35 kg/m2)
• Liver or renal deficiency
• Patients with anatomical deformities
• Recent use of analgesic drugs
• Patient refusal or inability to consent