Cervical Erector Spinae Plane Block vs Cervical Plexus Block in Controlling Acute Postoperative Pain After Thyroidectomy

Cervical Erector Spinae Plane Block vs Cervical Plexus Block in Controlling Acute Postoperative Pain After Thyroidectomy: A Randomized Controlled Study

This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of cervical erector spinae plane block vs. cervical plexus block in controlling acute postoperative pain after thyroidectomy.

Thyroidectomy is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in females worldwide, as thyroid disease predominantly affects females with a ratio of 4:1. Thyroid operations can cause mild to moderate incisional pain. It has also been reported that the morphine consumption on the first postoperative day is 90%.

Cervical plexus block, either superficial or deep or combinations given bilaterally, could easily lead to an adequate block appropriate for thyroid surgery without any significant side effects.

Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is the new favorite among various fascial plane blocks. Local anesthetic drug is injected in the fascial plane superficial to the transverse process and deeper to the erector spinae muscle (ESM).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age from 18 to 65 years.
• Both genders.
• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-II.
• Scheduled for either hemi- or total thyroidectomy.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known allergy to local anesthetics.
• Allergy to all opioid medications.
• Pregnant patient.
• Previous neck surgery.
• Recent use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids or steroid injection within 2 weeks.
• Those who cannot utilize the numeric rating scale (NRS) .
• Chronic opioid use.
• Coagulopathy.