Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB): in Patients Undergoing Surgery Through a Flank or Anterior Subcostal Incision.

Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB): A New Technique for Perioperative Pain Control in Patients Undergoing Surgery Through a Flank or Anterior Subcostal Incision.

Using a randomized double-blinded study design, the study goal is to evaluate the superiority of Erector Spinae Plane block (ESPB) in the peri-operative pain management of patients undergoing surgery through a flank or anterior subcostal incision as compared to the standard of care of using IV and oral opiates.

40 subjects will be randomized in to 2 groups, with 20 in each group.

• Group 1. Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) (containing Ropivacaine)
• Group 2. Sham Erector spinae plane block. (SESPB) (with normal saline)

Inclusion Criteria:

• Consenting adults age 18-85
• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status classification I to III
• Planned to be hospitalized for at least 24 hours post-op
• Cognitive capacity to use the visual analogic scale (VAS) and complete the patient satisfaction survey

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient refusal
• Patients with allergies to local anesthetics or opiates (hydromorphone or oxycodone)
• Scoliosis
• Patients with chronic pain syndromes or who are on chronic pain medications/other neurologic medication of more than 3 months or whom have neuromodulators/stimulators
• Concurrent surgeries requiring additional incisions on the body