Abstract :
Background: The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) can be used to reduce pain and opioid requirements after abdominal surgery.The study was undertaken to assess post-operative analgesia of ESPB in patients undergoing laparotomy under general anaesthesia.
Materials and Methods: A total 34 patients of either sex, age between 20-60 years, ASA status 1 and 2 undergoing exploratory laparotomy were included and equally randomised into two study groups of 17 each. Group A received ESPB with 0.25% inj. bupivacaine 20ml on each side (Total 40ml 0.25% inj. Bupivacaine) and group B with no intervention.
Results: The mean VAS Score was 4cm all intervals till 24hr in Group B. Thus, quality of analgesia was better in Group A. In Group B, 10 (58.82%) out of 17 patients required first dose of tramadol at 1½ hr as compared to none in Group A. At 24hr, all patients in Group B received tramadol as rescue analgesic compared to only 3 (17.64%) in Group A. The cumulative tramadol consumption was significantly low in Group A (5.88±13.71mg) than Group B (191.76±40.65mg). Complications like nausea, vomiting was more in Group B because of increased tramadol consumption.
Conclusion: ESPB is a simple, easy, convenient option, when utilized as a component of multi-modal analgesia for pain relief in abdominal surgery.
Keyword :
Erector spinae plane block, Analgesia, Laparotomy, Bupivacaine, VAS score, Tramadol.