ESP Block in Pediatric Patients for Postoperative Analgesia

Pediatric cardiac surgery is associated with moderate to severe postoperative pain that is related to median sternotomy. In a fast-track protocol, used in modern-day cardiac surgical care, early extubation may be facilitated by effective postoperative pain control, which also helps in maintaining hemodynamic stability This prospective, randomized, and double-blind study is designed to examine the efficacy and safety of the ESP block on the postoperative analgesia in pediatric patients after cardiac surgery. 40 pediatric patients aged 2-10 years, undergoing cardiac surgery with median sternotomy will be enrolled. Children received oral premedication of midazolam 0.5 mg/kg. After i.v. access will be obtained, fentanyl 5 µg/kg will be given. Anesthesia will be induced with 2-3 mg/kg propofol and all children will receive rocuronium 0,6 mg/kg for tracheal intubation.Subsequently, fentanyl 5 µg/kg will be administered prior to incision and an additional 5 microg/kg of fentanyl given prior to CPB. Anesthesia will be maintained with %2-3 sevoflurane. Fentanyl 1 µg/kg will be given before skin closure at the end of surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to a study group by the computer generated number table. Children in group B were administered bilateral ESPB with 0.25% bupivacaine, while children in group C did not receive any intervention. Following inhalational induction and endotracheal tube placement, the patient will be turned into a left lateral decubitus position and bilateral ESP block will be performed under aseptic conditions. ESP block at bilateral side will be performed in the lateral decubitis position and at T5 transverse process level by using 10-MHz liner ultrasound probe. The probe will be located 1 cm lateral to T5 spinous process in longitudinal parasagittal orientation. Simplex A 50mm (B.Braun, Germany) will be inserted by using out of plane technique. The ESP blocks proceed with 0,5 ml/kg of 0,25% bupivacaine (Group B). Postoperative care: All t