A Randomized Trial to Compare Serratus Anterior Plane Block and Erector Spinae Plane Block for Pain Management Following Thoracoscopic Surgery

Objective. Comparison of ultrasound (US)-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) and serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) in video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) patients. The primary outcome was to compare perioperative and postoperative (48 hours) opioid consumption. Methods. A total of 60 patients were randomized into two groups (N =30): an ESPB group and an SAPB group. All the patients received intravenous patient-controlled postoperative analgesia and ibuprofen 400 mg intravenously every eight hours. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores, opioid consumption, and adverse events were recorded. Results. Intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption at 0-8, 8-16, and 16-24 hours and rescue analgesic use were significantly lower in the ESPB group (P< 0.05). Static/dynamic VAS scores were significantly lower in the ESPB group (P< 0.05). There was no significant difference between static VAS scores at the fourth hour. There were no differences between adverse effects. Block procedure time and one-time puncture success were similar between groups (P > 0.05 each). Conclusion. US-guided ESPB may provide better pain control than SAPB after VATS. Question. Even though there are studies about analgesia management after VATS, clinicians want to perform the technique that is both less invasive and more effective. Findings. This randomized trial showed that US-guided ESPB provides effective analgesia compared with SAPB. Meaning. Performing single-injection ESPB reduces VAS scores and opioid consumption compared with SAPB.