Analgesic Effects of Intrathecal Morphine and Bilateral Erector Spina Plane Block in Elective Cesarean Section

Can Erector Spinae Plane Block Replace Intrathecal Morphine in Cesarean Section? a Prospective Randomized Controlled Study on Opioid Consumption

Cesarean section cause severe pain due to surgical incision, abdominal wall retraction and visceral organ movements. Cesarean section can be performed with general anesthesia, spinal anesthesia, epidural anesthesia and combined spinal epidural anesthesia methods.

Because of the possibility of aspiration pneumonia in pregnant women are under general anesthesia, the awareness of anesthesia in the mother during the operation due to insufficient anesthesia, unsuccessful intubation, respiratory complications in the mother and newborn and low APGAR scores, regional anesthesia is superior to general anesthesia in elective cesarean section operations.

Spinal anesthesia, abdominal wall blocks such as erector spinae plane block, parenteral and intrathecal opioids may be used for postoperative analgesia in cesarean section operations.

Intrathecal morphine can cause postoperative nausea-vomiting, itching, respiratory depression. Erector spina plane block can provide effective pain control and reduce opioid consumption.

The primary implication of this study is to compare postoperative pain scores and opioid consumption on elective cesarean section patients under spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine or erector spina block in addition to spinal anesthesia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients between 18 and 40 years old, ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) score I-II, undergoing elective cesarean section

Exclusion Criteria:

• Emergency cesarean section
• The patients with major hepatic, cardiovascular or renal disease
• The patients for whom spinal anesthesia is contraindicated
• The patients who is allergic to any drugs that we use for this study
• Patients who declined to participate in the study