ESRA19-0248\u2005Erector spinae plane block for laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Abstract

Background and aims Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a popular intervention associated with significant postoperative pain. Therefore, anaesthetic control of this surgery gives a potential benefit. Despite multimodal analgesia regimes, administration of high dose of opioids is often necessary. The erector spinae plane (ESP) block is a newly described regional anaesthetic technique that is capable of providing effective and extensive thoracic and abdominal analgesia, involving local anesthetic injection in a paraspinal plane deep to the erector spinae muscle. Methods We performed pre-operative bilateral ESP blocks with 20–30 ml Ropivacaine 0,475% in three patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Results In the immediate postoperative period, patients presented 0 pain, represented in the VAS (Visual Analog Scale) and after the first 24 hours the VAS was 1. Conclusions In summary, we conclude that the ESP block is a promising regional anesthesic technique for laparoscopic cholecystectomy and many other abdominal and thoracic surgeries, which has definite advantages over other analgesic techniques because it reduces the need for opioids and has relative simplicity and low risks. Further studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of the ESP block in larger patient groups, as well as to determine the optimal doses.