Effect of Erector Spinae Plane Block in Patients Scheduled for Kyphoplasty

Patients, older than 50 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I, II, III and IV and scheduled for percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty due to osteoporotic vertebra fracture will be enrolled for this prospective, observational study. Written consent will be taken from all patients.

All patients will be taken to the premedication room. Standard monitorization will be performed with electrocardiography, non-invasive blood pressure and pulse oximeter. A 20 Gauge intravenous (iv) canula will be inserted and 10-20 mg/kg iv crystalloid infusion will be started. According to the neurosurgeon's preference patients will be under local anesthesia with sedation and analgesia or erector spinae plane block and sedation during the procedure.

In Group Local Anesthesia (L), local anesthesia with 0.25% 20 mL bupivacaine will be given extrapedicular part of the fractured vertebra by the surgeon. At the same time, intravenous 0.1 mg/kg midazolam, 0.3 mg/kg ketamine and 25-100 mcg/kg/min propofol will be administered to achieve sedation and analgesia.

In Group Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESP), bilateral erector spinae plane block will be performed at the level of fractured vertebra with totally 40 mL 0.25% bupivacaine under ultrasound imaging by the anesthesiologist. 20 minutes after administration of the block, the surgical procedure will be started. During the procedure intravenous 0.1 mg/kg midazolam will be administered for sedation. Pain will be assessed with numeric rating scale (NRS). When NRS is 4 or over 4, additional 0.3 mg/kg ketamine and 25-100 mcg/kg/min propofol will be given intravenously.

In the postoperative period all patients in groups, NRS will be also used to assess the pain. When NRS is 4 or over 4, 1 gr paracetamol will be given intravenously. If NRS will not be under 4 after 1 hour of paracetamol administration, iv 1 mg/kg tramadol will be given.

Postoperative and intraoperative opioid consumption will be assessed to evaluate the effectiveness of erector spinae plane block.

Surgeon's and patients satisfaction will be assessed with 5 points Likert's scale; 1: very dissatisfied, 2: dissatisfied, 3: neither dissatisfied or satisfied, 4: satisfied, 5: very satisfied. All outcome measures will be statistically analyzed.

Inclusion criteria

• American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I, II, III, IV
• Pathologic vertebra fracture
• Percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty for single vertebrae

Exclusion criteria

• Contraindications for plane blocks (bleeding disorder, infection on the injection side)
• Hemodynamic instability
• Pregnancy
• Patient's refusal
• Vertebra fracture due to trauma
• Multiple vertebra fractures
• Procedure under general anesthesia
• Allergy to local anesthetics