Analgesic Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block in Patients with Extrahepatic Portal Venous Obstruction Undergoing Splenectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain is quite prevalent in patients undergoing splenectomy and shunt surgery for extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO) via midline laparotomy incision. Most of these patients present with thrombocytopenia in the preoperative period. The presence of thrombocytopenia excludes the placement of epidural catheter for postoperative analgesia, which is considered the gold standard for laparotomies. Systemic opioids remain the cornerstone of pain management in such cases, but they have their side effects. Better alternatives need to be explored to improve postoperative pain management and recovery. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) has an excellent risk-benefit ratio and has been used for a wide range of cases, from acute postoperative pain to chronic pain conditions. METHODOLOGY: This was a randomized controlled trial conducted on 84 patients who underwent splenectomy with lienorenal shunt surgery under general anesthesia. Patients in the study group were given ESPB before extubation, while the control group was managed on conventional analgesics. The primary objective was postoperative opioid requirement by intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) in both groups. Secondary objectives were static and dynamic Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores, hospital stay duration, time first to rescue analgesia, and incidences of adverse events. Adverse events were higher in the control group compared to the ESPB group. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided ESPB provides superior analgesia and recovery with fewer side effects than conventional analgesics.