Neuroanesthesia & neurocritical care
Postoperative erector spinae plane block does not reduce morphine consumption after lumbar spinal fusion: A randomized controlled trial
Authors' conclusion
Although postoperative bilateral ultrasound-guided ESPB provided statistically significant improvements in early pain scores and mobilization, these differences did not translate into reduced morphine consumption or meaningful clinical benefits in patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion surgery.
Study context
- Population
- Adults undergoing elective open posterior lumbar arthrodesis93 completed
- Comparison
- Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) vs Control
- Primary endpoint
- Morphine consumption
- Follow-up
- First 24 postoperative hours
Methodological detailsdouble-blind
- Double-blind
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
24-h morphine consumption · 24 h
P = 0.258
Secondary outcomes
48-h morphine consumption
- No significant difference between ESPB and control
Pain scores · initial evaluation, 6 h, 12 h
- Lower pain scores with ESPB
Functional recovery
- Earlier initial mobilization and shorter urinary catheter duration with ESPB
Pain control and mobilization (subgroups: transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, multilevel surgery)
- Superior pain control and earlier mobilization with ESPB
Safety
Opioid-related side effects
- Reduced incidence of dizziness with ESPB
Block-related complications
- No block-related complications reported
Original publication
Postoperative erector spinae plane block does not reduce morphine consumption after lumbar spinal fusion: A randomized controlled trial. J Clin Anesth. Published 26 September 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →