Cardiothoracic & vascular anaesthesia
Erector spinae plane and superficial parasternal intercostal plane blocks vs. control for sternotomy in cardiac surgery: A prospective, randomized trial
Authors' conclusion
Patients undergoing sternotomy procedures may benefit from the addition of erector spinae plane or superficial parasternal intercostal plane blocks to a postoperative multimodal analgesic regimen.
Study context
- Population
- Adults of all genders aged 18–85, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status II–IV, undergoing elective sternotomy procedures at Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital Centerenrolled between July 2022 and July 2024
- Participants
- 271 adults
- Comparison
- Erector spinae plane block or superficial parasternal intercostal plane block vs standard therapy (randomized 1:1:1)
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Opioid consumption (morphine milligram equivalents) · during the surgery and postoperative days 0, 1, and 2
- No significant difference
Further findings
| Outcome | P value |
|---|---|
| Median morphine milligram equivalents use · postoperative day 3Driven by lower consumption in the ESP group | P = 0.047 |
| Maximum numerical pain rating scale · postoperative day 0, 1, 2, and 3Both regional block groups vs control · significantly lower in both regional block groups | P < 0.001 |
| Maximum numerical pain rating scale · postoperative day 0, 1, 2, and 3Both regional block groups vs control · significantly lower in both regional block groups | P < 0.001 |
| Maximum numerical pain rating scale · postoperative day 0, 1, 2, and 3Both regional block groups vs control · significantly lower in both regional block groups | P = 0.002 |
Original publication
Erector spinae plane and superficial parasternal intercostal plane blocks vs. control for sternotomy in cardiac surgery: A prospective, randomized trial. J Clin Anesth. Published 7 October 2026. doi:10.
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