Erector Spinae Blocks for Spine Surgery: Fact or Fad? Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Publication Title

World Neurosurg

Authors

Elias Elias, Department of Complex and minimally invasive spine surgery, Swedish Neuroscience Institute , Seattle, Washington, USA.Follow
Zeina Nasser
Charbel Elias
Ata Rahman, Anesthesiology Department, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USAFollow
Ravi S Nunna, Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USAFollow
Rod J Oskouian, Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USAFollow
Jens R Chapman, Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USAFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-10-2021

Keywords

washington; seattle; swedish; swedish neurosci; ESPB; Erector spinae plane block; Postoperative pain; Spine surgery; Systematic review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing spine surgery may experience substantial postoperative pain. The aim of this systematic review is to examine the clinical efficacy of a newly introduced regional anesthetic block, the erector spinae plane block (ESPB), for adults undergoing posterior spine surgeries.

METHODS: A formal systematic database search was conducted in PubMed, Ovid Medline, Embase, Cochrane library, and Google Scholar for randomized controlled trials comparing ESPB with control or placebo.

RESULTS: Our systematic review demonstrates a reduction of postoperative pain and opioid consumption in patients who had ESPB compared with control groups for lumbar spine surgery. However, the effect obtained revealed only a short-term benefit.

CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence is insufficient to support the widespread use of ESPB for spine surgery. More studies are warranted to confirm or refute its role in clinical practice.

Area of Special Interest

Neurosciences (Brain & Spine)

Specialty/Research Institute

Neurosciences

Specialty/Research Institute

Anesthesiology