Efficacy of Bi-level ESPB Application in Patients Undergoing VATS

Comparison of the Efficiency of Bi-Level ESPB and Single-Level ESPB for Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing VATS

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has become a common procedure in thoracic surgery. Severe postoperative pain may be encountered in patients undergoing VATS. Analgesic methods such as thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB), intercostal block and erector spina plane block (ESPB) are widely used for VATS. Among these methods, ultrasound (US) guided TPVB is the most preferred method. In recent years, the frequency of application of plane blocks as a component of multimodal analgesia has been increased. ESPB is one of them. Although there are publications showing that single-level ESPB applied from the T5 vertebra level spreads in the craniocaudal T3-L2 range, there are also publications stating that the spread is more limited. This study, it was aimed to compare the efficacy of bi-level ESPB application and one-level ESPB application for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing VATS.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 18 and 80 years
• American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II-III
• Body mass index between 18-40 kg/m2
• Patients undergoing elective video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient refusing the procedure
• History of chronic analgesic or opioid therapy
• History of local anesthetic allergy
• Infection in the intervention area
• Emergency surgery