Erector Spinae Plane Block as Pain Management After Lumbar Fusion Surgery

Rationale: Lumbar spine surgery is associated with high postoperative pain scores and analgesic use, despite use of multimodal analgesia. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a promising locoregional anesthetic technique for this type of surgery. The literature is not yet conclusive about the effectiveness of this technique on reducing postoperative pain intensity. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the analgesic effect of ESPB as add-on therapy to multimodal analgesia on early postoperative pain intensity after lumbar spinal fusion surgery compared to placebo. Study design: The study is designed as a prospective mono-centre, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Study population: 76 patients ≥ 18 years of age requiring elective lumbar spinal fusion surgery involving one to four fusion levels. Intervention: Patients will receive ultrasound-guided ESPB with either ropivacaine or placebo at the end of surgery. Main study parameters/endpoints: Main study parameter is pain intensity upon emergence from anesthesia measured with the Numeric Rating Scale. A minimal clinically important difference is considered to be a decrease of 1.5 points. Secondary endpoints are pain intensity during hospital stay and after 30 days, opioid use during hospital stay and after 30 days, opioid side effects, use of anti-emetics, time to first opioid use/request, length of hospital stay, quality of recovery at discharge. Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: The Sint Maartenskliniek is experienced in applying locoregional analgesia, the use of ropivacaine and using sonography. The procedure of administering ESPB has a very low risk of complications. Receiving placebo is justifiable because this group will not be withhold standard treatment. The risks of receiving placebo are negligible. The patients will visit the clinic at regular follow-up moments.