Comparison of the Analgesic Efficacy of Erector Spinae Plane Block in Lumbar Microdiscectomy Surgeries

Postoperative pain is commonly observed in patients undergoing lumbar microdiscectomy surgery.

To manage this pain, the lumbar erector spinae plane (ESP) block is frequently administered as part of a multimodal analgesia regimen, particularly with the aim of reducing opioid consumption in these patients.

Recent publications have demonstrated the analgesic efficacy of the sacral erector spinae plane block in lumbar microdiscectomy surgeries.

In this study, the postoperative analgesic effectiveness of the lumbar ESP block-performed two vertebral levels above the surgical site-will be compared with that of the sacral ESP block-performed two vertebral levels below the surgical site.

It is anticipated that this approach will provide effective analgesia while avoiding the use of opioids.

Inclusion criteria

ASA I, ASA II, and ASA III patients scheduled for single-level lumbar microdiscectomy at the L4-L5 or L5-S1 level.

Exclusion criteria

Pregnant patients

Patients who do not consent to the erector spinae plane block

Patients requiring mechanical ventilatory support

Patients with a history of substance abuse

Patients with a known allergy to the medications to be used

Patients with bleeding diathesis

Patients with infection at the planned block site

Patients undergoing surgical intervention at two or more spinal levels

Patients with communication difficulties or intellectual disabilities

Patients with neuropsychiatric disorders

Patients with chronic pain

Patients with an expected surgical duration of 180 minutes or more

Patients with a prior history of lumbar microdiscectomy