Background: Pain relief for lumbar spine surgery is being updated to help improve the quality of post-operative recovery, especially ultrasound-guided pain relief anesthesia methods, including two anesthesia methods. Thoracolumbar interfascial plane block (TLIP block) and erector spinae plane block (ESP block) are increasingly commonly applied. Objective: compare the pain relief effectiveness of TLIP block with ESP block for lumbar spine surgery.

Methods: Randomized prospective intervention study conducted at Hanoi Medical University Hospital from October 2021 to October 2022 including 100 lumbar spine surgery patients randomly divided into three groups: group control, TLIP group and ESP group. Outcomes regarding perioperative pain score (ANIm, VAS), the effectiveness of 2 ultrasound-guided methods, the complications and the side effects were recorded.

• All research patients were divided into 3 groups by random drawing: control group, TLIP group and ESP group.

• TLIP group: patients were anesthetized before surgery using TLIP lumbar block (L3) under ultrasound with 20ml of ropivacaine 0.25% anesthetic on each side. After that, the patient was given endotracheal anesthesia for surgery.

• ESP group: patients were anesthetized before surgery with lumbar (L3) ESP block method under ultrasound with 20ml of Ropivacaine 0.25% anesthetic on each side. After that, the patient was given endotracheal anesthesia for surgery.

• Control group: patients received regular endotracheal anesthesia, then the incision was anesthetized with 15ml of 1% lidocaine mixed with 1/200,000 adrenaline on each side before surgery.

• Anesthesia and monitoring process: all patients in all 3 groups were anesthetized using general anesthesia:

  • Install monitoring to monitor pulse parameters, blood pressure, SpO2, EtCO2.
  • Install an Analgesia Nociception Index (ANI) meter and monitor the ANI index continuously during surgery. Monitor ANI monitor V2 during surgery, maintain ANIm within the range of 50-70.
  • Induction of anesthesia: fentanyl 2mcg/kg slow intravenous injection, wait 3 minutes then inject propofol 2-3mg/kg, rocuronium 0.6mg/kg (when eyelid reflex is lost). Proceed with endotracheal intubation and artificial ventilation at a frequency of 12 times/minute, Vt = 6-8ml/kg, FiO2 50%, I:E = 1:2, PEEP = 5cmH2O, EtCO2 = 35-45mmHg, sevoflurane Install until MAC reaches 0.8-1.
  • Maintain anesthesia with sevofluran, maintain 1 MAC.
  • Using fentanyl during surgery: when ANIm index is less than 50: 50mcg fentanyl bolus, repeat after 5 minutes until ANIm greater than 50. Record the amount of fentanyl used during surgery. Record the ANIm index at the time of the study: when skin incision (T0) and every 10 minutes until the end of surgery.
  • Release of anesthesia: Patients are extubated when they meet the criteria: awake, following orders, breathing rate 12-20 times/minute, SpO2 > 95% with FiO2 ≤ 40%, Vt > 5ml/kg, EtCO2 < 45 mmHg , good cough and swallow reflex and TOF ≥ 90%. After extubation, monitor the patient, record pulse index, blood pressure and VAS score and transfer the patient to the hospital room if it reaches 10/10 points according to Aldrete.

• Pain relief: both groups received paracetamol 1g and ketorolac 30mg at the end of skin closure and every 8 hours thereafter. When the patient has postoperative pain (VAS score ≥ 4), they are titrated with intravenous morphine 1mg/time every 10 minutes until reaching a VAS score < 4. At the same time, an intravenous morphine pain relief machine is installed. Patient controlled analgesia (PCA) with bolus setting 1ml = 1mg, lockout time 10 minutes, maximum dose 20mg/4 hours, no background infusion dose.

Inclusion Criteria:

• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III.
• Patients had lumbar spinal fusion surgery.

Exclusion Criteria:

• The patient does not agree to participate in the study.
• Patients with severe chronic diseases: liver failure, kidney failure, heart failure, arrhythmia, neuromuscular disease.
• Patients are using drugs that affect the autonomic nervous system such as beta blockers, parasympathomimetic drugs.
• history of mental disorders, difficulty in communication.
• Patients with acute lumbar spine injury or a history of lumbar spine surgery, injections, abscesses, and lumbar infections.

The investigators agree that all results and conclusion of this research will be used fully for other researchers

from October 2023 to the unidentified time

anesthesiologists, surgeons all over the world