Study of Erector Spinae Plane ESP Block to Reduce Opioid Use and Improve Recovery After Posterior Cervical Spine Surgery

What this Trial Is About

Patients undergoing spine surgery often experience significant pain after the operation, which can limit activity and slow rehabilitation. If pain is not well managed, it may cause emotional and psychological distress, affect long-term function, and increase the risk of chronic pain lasting more than six months, along with depression, anxiety, and disability. This trial evaluates the use of the Erector Spinae Plane ESP block, a new nerve block technique that targets specific spinal nerves, as part of a multimodal pain management approach after spinal surgery. The study compares two groups one receiving a bilateral ESP block at the T1 spinal level with a mixture of lidocaine and bupivacaine, and the other receiving a similar block with a saline placebo. Both groups undergo posterior cervical spine surgery involving decompression and instrumented fusion. The ESP block is designed to reduce reliance on opioid pain medications and improve recovery. Participants will be monitored for their quality of recovery using a questionnaire 24 hours after surgery. Researchers will also assess postoperative pain levels and opioid use at two weeks and one month after surgery. The study uses a randomized, triple-blind design to evaluate the effectiveness of the ESP block in enhancing recovery while tracking safety and pain outcomes over time.

Effect of Erector Spinae (ESP) Block on Opioid Reduction and Enhanced Recovery After Posterior Cervical Spine Surgery