Optimizing Post-Thoracotomy Pain Management: Comparing Erector Spinae vs. Paravertebral Block in Thoracotomy Patients

Study Design and Ethics Approval It was conducted as a prospective, observational trial at the Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital, after approval had been obtained from the ethics committee of the Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital on May 20,2022, (protocol number: KAEK.2022.05.155). Our study recognises the Declaration of Helsinki as a statement of ethical principles for medical research involving human participants.

Patient Population and Randomization Adult patients aged 18-70 years who underwent unilateral lobectomy via a thoracotomy approach under elective conditions between June 1, 2022, and December 1, 2022, were included in the study. Informed consent was obtained from all patients prior to enrollment. The inclusion criteria were as follows: patients classified as ASA II-III, no history of previous thoracotomy, no chronic pain or analgesic dependence, and adequate preoperative cooperation. The exclusion criteria included patients with known drug allergies, chronic analgesic use, or preexisting neuropathic conditions.

Randomization was performed via a computer-generated sequence to ensure the true random allocation of patients into either the ESPB or the PVB group. The sequence was concealed via sealed opaque envelopes, which were opened by the attending anesthesiologist just before block administration. No stratification was applied; however, group assignment was conducted to ensure an equal distribution of patients by sex, age, and ASA status. The anesthesiologist monitoring postoperative pain was blinded to the type of block administered.

Preoperative anaesthesia preparation and block protocols All patients received standard ASA monitoring, including invasive blood pressure measurement. All blocks were performed by the same anesthesiologist (O.A.), who had more than 7 years of experience in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia.

Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) Protocol For ESPB, the patient was positioned in a seated posture, and under sterile conditions, a 22G, 80 mm Stimuplex® D block needle (B. Braun, Melsungen, Germany) was inserted between the T6 and T7 transverse processes and the erector spinae muscle via ultrasound guidance (Fujifilm Arietta 65, Tokyo, Japan). The T6-T7 level was chosen on the basis of its proximity to the thoracic surgical site, allowing for optimal coverage of the thoracic dermatomes. Following negative aspiration, 1 mL of saline was injected via hydrodissection to confirm correct needle placement, and 20 mL of 0.375% bupivacaine was administered.

Paravertebral block (PVB) protocol For the PVB, the patient was seated, and a 22G block needle was inserted into the paravertebral space at the T5 level under ultrasound guidance. The T5 level was selected to provide direct analgesia to the thoracic paravertebral space, which is known to block multiple thoracic nerves. After negative aspiration, 1 mL of saline was injected to confirm correct needle placement, and 20 mL of 0.375% bupivacaine was administered following hydrodissection.

Anaesthesia Protocol Premedication was achieved with 2 mg intravenous midazolam, which was administered prior to the block performance. General anaesthesia induction was achieved with 2 mcg/kg fentanyl and 1.5-3 mg/kg propofol, with a target bispectral index (BIS) between 40 and 60. Neuromuscular blockade was induced via 0.6 mg/kg rocuronium, and maintenance of anaesthesia was achieved via sevoflurane (1%-2%) and remifentanil (0.05--0.2 mcg/kg/min) in a 50% oxygen/air mixture. All patients underwent orotracheal intubation with a double-lumen tube appropriate for their body height and surgical side, and mechanical ventilation parameters were standardized across all patients. A standard posterolateral thoracotomy was performed through the fifth intercostal space to provide surgical access. For optimal postoperative drainage and lung re-expansion, a 28 Fr chest tube was inserted through the sixth intercostal space, one level below the thoracotomy incision. All operations were carried out by the same team.

At the conclusion of the surgery, patients were administered 1 g of paracetamol and 100 mg of tramadol intravenously, followed by decurarization with 2-4 mg/kg sugammadex. A patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device (BodyGuard 595) with a basal infusion of 2.5 mL/h of tramadol (500 mg tramadol in 125 mL of 0.9% NaCl) was used for postoperative analgesia (intermittent bolus dose of 5 mL - lock time 30 min). Morphine (0.1 mg/kg) was used as a rescue analgesic if the NRS score exceeded 4 out of 10.

Outcome Measurements The primary outcome was postoperative pain, which was assessed via the NRS and the Prince Henry Hospital Pain Scale (PHHPS) at 0, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively. Pain levels were also assessed at 2 weeks and 2 months postoperatively, with phone calls for follow-up. Although phone assessments may introduce bias due to the subjective nature of self-reported pain levels, this method was chosen to maintain follow-up consistency across all patients. To mitigate this limitation, the same standardized questionnaire was used for all phone assessments, and patients were instructed to report their pain levels accurately.

The secondary outcomes included the incidence of PTPS at 2 months, the total consumption of opioids via the PCA device, the number of requests for rescue analgesia, and the incidence of complications such as hematoma, pneumothorax, or nerve damage. Additionally, demographic characteristics, intraoperative hemodynamic data, and surgical duration were recorded.

The secondary outcomes included the incidence of PTPS at 2 months; the total consumption of opioids via the PCA device at 24 hours postoperatively; the number of requests for rescue analgesia within the first 24 hours postoperatively; and the incidence of complications such as hematoma, pneumothorax, or nerve damage. Hemodynamic variables were assessed with measurements taken at the following predefined times: preoperatively, end of induction, time of skin incision, 30th, 60th, 90th and 120th minute of block and end of surgery. Additionally, demographic characteristics, intraoperative hemodynamic data, and surgical duration were recorded.

Statistical analysis A power analysis was conducted to determine the required sample size, with an alpha of 0.05 and beta of 0.1, expecting a minimum 3 mg difference in 24-hour opioid consumption between the groups (doi: 10.7759/cureus.59459). Based on an estimated effect size of Cohen's d ≈ 0.9, a minimum of 60 patients (30 per group) were included to achieve a power of 90%. A total of 64 patients were enrolled to account for potential attrition. The data were analysed via SPSS (Mac OS, version 27.0). The normality of the data was assessed with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Normally distributed data were analyzed using independent t-tests, while non-normally distributed data were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U test. Categorical variables were compared using chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. Continuous variables are presented as the means ± standard deviations, and categorical variables are presented as frequencies and percentages. Statistical significance was determined by p values < 0.05.