Case series illustrates erector spinae plane block reduces opioid use and enhances pain relief in pancreatic cancer, suggesting a valuable emergency protocol.
Abstract Pancreatic cancer is often associated with severe and refractory pain due to tumour invasion of surrounding neural structures and visceral organs. Conventional pain management strategies, including opioids, are often insufficient and associated with significant side effects. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is an interfascial regional anaesthesia technique that has shown promise in managing thoracic and abdominal pain. This case series describe the use of ESPB in four pancreatic cancer patients with refractory pain. All patients reported significant pain relief and reduced opioid requirements following the procedure. This article highlights the potential role of ESPB as an adjunctive therapy for acute pain management in pancreatic cancer in emergency department with discussion on its technical aspect, mechanism, and clinical implication.
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Adi et al. (2025) studied this question.
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