Ultrasound-guided continuous erector spinae plane block vs continuous thoracic epidural analgesia for the management of acute and chronic postthoracotomy pain: a randomized, controlled,double-blind trial

Abstract Introduction: Postthoracotomy pain (PTP) is a severe pain complicating thoracic surgeries and its good management decreases the risk of PTP syndrome (PTPS). Objectives: This randomized controlled study evaluated the efficacy of ultrasound-guided continuous erector spinae plane block (ESPB) with or without dexmedetomidine compared with thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) in managing acute postoperative pain and the possible emergence of PTPS. Methods: Ninety patients with chest malignancies planned for thoracotomy were randomly allocated into 3 equal groups. Group 1: TEA (20 mL of levobupivacaine 0.25% bolus, then 0.1 mL/kg/h of levobupivacaine 0.1%), group 2: ESPB (20 mL of levobupivacaine only 0.1% bolus every 6 hours), and group 3: ESPB (20 mL of levobupivacaine 0.25% and 0.5 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine Hcl bolus every 6 hours). Results: Resting and dynamic visual analog scales were higher in group 2 compared with groups 1 and 3 at 6, 24, and 36 hours and at 8 and 12 weeks. Postthoracotomy pain syndrome incidence was higher in group 2 compared with groups 1 and 3 at 8 and 12 weeks, whereas it was indifferent between groups 1 and 3. The grading system for neuropathic pain score was higher in group 2 compared with groups 1 and 3 at 8 and 12 weeks, whereas it was indifferent between groups 1 and 3. Itching, pruritis, and urine retention were higher in group 1 than in ESPB groups. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided ESPB with dexmedetomidine is as potent as TEA in relieving acute PTP and reducing the possible emergence of chronic PTPS. However, the 2 techniques were superior to ESPB without dexmedetomidine. Erector spinae plane block has fewer side effects compared with TEA.