Edge of Laminar Block Versus Erector Spinae Plane Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Ultrasound-Guided Edge of Laminar Block Versus Erector Spinae Plane Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

This study aims to compare the ultrasound-guided edge of laminar block (ELB) and erector spinae plane block (ESPB) for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS).

Postoperative pain after thoracic surgery, which is attributed to muscle incisions, rib retractions, and intercostal nerve damage, may be severe enough to cause pulmonary complications, such as atelectasis, pneumonia, and increased oxygen consumption.

The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is used for managing post-thoracotomy pain and has numerous advantages that make it an attractive alternative technique. The ESPB injects a local anaesthetic around the erector spinae muscle at approximately the level of the T5. It may be able to block the dorsal and ventral rami of the thoracic spinal nerves.

A novel technique of retrolaminar block (RLB) called the edge of laminar block (ELB) to provide sensory analgesia during rib fracture surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age from 18 to 65 years.
• Both sexes.
• American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical status I-II.
• Undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) under general anesthesia.

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of allergies to local anesthetics.
• Opioid dependency.
• Bleeding or coagulation disorders.
• Psychiatric and neurological disorder.
• Local infection at the site of injection.
• Severe heart, lung, liver, and renal dysfunction.
• Pregnant or lactating women.