RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Erector Spinae Plane Blocks for Circumferential Lumbar Spinal Fusion: Retrospective Cohort Study
JF International Journal of Spine Surgery
JO Int J Spine Surg
FD International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery
SP 8528
DO 10.14444/8528
A1 Colón, Luis F.
A1 Miles, Daniel
A1 Scheinberg, Mila
A1 Wilson, Andrew
A1 Shepherd, Brian
A1 Miller, Joseph
YR 2023
UL https://www.ijssurgery.com/content/early/2023/08/24/8528.abstract
AB Background Circumferential lumbar spine fusions are extensive procedures that involve accessing the lumbar spine from multiple approaches. These surgeries often make postoperative pain control challenging, and efforts have been made to find alternative methods of analgesia that do not rely solely on opioids. The use of erector spinae plane (ESP) blocks has been found to be effective in controlling pain while decreasing narcotic requirements in patients undergoing thoracolumbar spine surgery. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of ESP blocks for postoperative pain control and its effect on opioid consumption in patients undergoing circumferential lumbar spinal fusion.Methods A retrospective review was performed on patients undergoing 1- or 2-level elective anterior lumbar interbody fusion with open posterior decompression and posterolateral fusion. An analysis was performed to determine the effect of ESP blocks on hospital length of stay (LOS), pain scores using the visual analog scale, and opioid consumption using morphine milligram equivalents.Results 144 patients were included in the cohort analysis, of whom 36 patients received a preoperative ESP block and 108 did not. Demographic data, comorbidities, and number of levels fused were equally distributed between groups. Patients who received an ESP block had shorter LOS (3.0 vs 4.0 days, P = 0.005) and lower cumulative morphine milligram equivalent in the first 48 hours after surgery (123.7 vs 141.2, P = 0.05). Visual analog scale scores did not significantly differ between patients group except for on postoperative day 4 and at 12-month follow-up.Conclusions The use of ESP blocks for patients undergoing 1- or 2-level circumferential fusion via an anterior lumbar interbody fusion with concomitant posterior open procedures was associated with decreased postoperative inpatient opioid requirements and LOS. This cohort study supports the growing body of evidence that ESP blocks are a useful adjunct for multimodal pain control.Level of Evidence 3Clinical Relevance The data and results of this study provide clinical evidence supporting the use of ESP blocks in patients undergoing circumferential lumbar spine fusion procedures.