Efficacy of Erector Spinae Plane Block in Preventing Chronic Pain After Breast Cancer Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Primary result · CPSP incidenceResult — go to the resultRelative risk 0.88 95% CI 0.63–1.24Authors' conclusion
Single-injection ESPB does not prevent CPSP after breast cancer surgery.
Study context
- Population
- Women undergoing unilateral breast cancer surgery in China
- Participants
- 198 women
- Comparison
- Preoperative single-injection ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) vs placebo
- ESPBn = 99
- Placebon = 99reference
- Primary endpoint
- Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) incidence
- Follow-up
- 3 months
Methodological detailsdouble-blind, placebo-controlled
- Double-blind
- Placebo-controlled
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Relative risk
0.88
95% CI 0.63–1.24
P = 0.470
Events by treatment group
ESPB vs Placebo
RR 0.88 (95% CI 0.63–1.24); P = 0.470
Secondary outcomes
| Outcome | ESPB | Placebo | RR (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPSP incidence · 6 months | 23.2% | 31.3% | 0.74 (0.47–1.18) | P = 0.202 | |
| 0.512Relative risk (log scale) |
Median, mg
| Outcome | ESPB | Placebo | Median difference (mg) (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24-h morphine consumption | 8.0 (IQR 4.0–12.0) | 18.0 (IQR 14.0–22.0) | −10.0 (−10.0 to −8.0) | P < 0.001 | |
| −15−10−505Difference, mg (linear scale) |
Acute pain scores at rest and during movement
- Reduced with ESPB at rest and during movement (both p < 0.001)
Safety
- Transient metallic taste — ESPB
- 1.0%
Serious adverse events
- No serious adverse events occurred
Original publication
Efficacy of Erector Spinae Plane Block in Preventing Chronic Pain After Breast Cancer Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Anaesth Crit Care Pain Med. Published 17 November 2025. doi:10.
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