A STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFICACY OF ERECTOR SPINAE PLANE BLOCK (ESPB) FOR POST OPERATIVE ANALGESIA IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY UNDER GENERAL ANAESTHESIA

Abstract

Background and aims:

The erector spinae plane block (ESPB), a recent regional analgesic technique, has been used to manage acute pain after different thoracic and abdominal surgeries. Primary objective of this study was to compare the duration of effective analgesia and secondary objectives were to evaluate total amount and number of rescue analgesics in 24 hours, haemodynamic changes, and adverse effects.

Methods:

This prospective, randomized, double blind study was conducted on total of 100 patients of 18 to 60 years of age belonging to ASA class I & II, scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly allocated into 2 groups - Group C (n=50) received 15 ml NS and Group R (n=50) received 0.25% ropivacaine 15 ml on each side for ESPB.

Results:

The duration of analgesia was statistically significantly longer in Group R (734.68 ± 64.98 min.) as compared to Group C (97.36 ± 21.08 min.) (p < 0.05). Total amount and number of postoperative analgesic (inj. diclofenac in mg) requirement was statistically lesser in Group R (P < 0.05). Postoperatively MAP and HR up to 8 hour was statistically higher in Group C. There was no significant difference in the mean VAS score between the two groups in early hours but overall, the VAS score was lower in Group R as compared to Group C at all time interval. There was no significant difference in adverse events and complications.

Conclusion:

Bilateral ESPB with ropivacaine 0.25% provided effective postoperative analgesia and hemodynamic stability and markedly decreased postoperative analgesic consumption in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Keywords:  Ropivacaine, Erector spinae plane block, Laparoscopic cholecystectomy.