The Efficacy and Safety of Landmark-guided Compared to Ultrasound-guided Erector Spinae Plane Block Techniques for Analgesia in Female Patients After Breast Surgery.

Alexandria University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Nerve Block

Treatments: Procedure: Anatomical landmark-guided ESPB; Procedure: Ultrasound-guided ESPB

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06246292

IRB number: 00012098

Details and patient eligibility

About

The erector spinae plane (ESP) block is a technique that helps alleviate acute pain. It involves injecting local anesthetic between the erector spinae muscle (ESM) and the vertebra's transverse process (TP). This technique can be guided by ultrasound or anatomical landmarks, and it can be performed while the patient is lying down, sitting or on their side.

Full description

Ultrasound guidance has established itself as the norm for regional anesthesia procedures, enabling live visualization of anatomical structures and enhancing the precision and safety of needle insertion. Conversely, the blind technique relies on anatomical landmarks and the ability to palpate to direct needle insertion. Although the blind technique might provide simplicity and efficiency, uncertainties persist concerning its precision and possible associated risks. As the popularity of the ESPB increases, a relevant query emerges: Should it be conducted with ultrasound guidance or through a non-guided technique? This study was designed to validate the efficacy and safety of a landmark-guided ESPB technique compared to an ultrasound-guided ESPB technique for analgesia in breast surgery. The hypothesis was that the ultrasound and anatomical landmark techniques for ESPB would provide equivalent analgesia. The study's primary objective was to compare the success rate of both techniques. The secondary objectives were to compare the dermatomal block spread, analgesic effectiveness, and technique-related complications.

Enrollment: 248 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patients aged 18 years or older.
• Patients had an American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical score of I-II.
• Patients undergoing unilateral elective breast surgery.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients had a contraindication to an ESPB (including coagulopathy, recent anticoagulant medication usage, or infection at the needle puncture site).
• Patients had a history of opioid addiction, preoperative opioid use, and allergies to study medications.
• Obesity (body mass index exceeding 35 kg/m²).
• If the placement of ESPB was not completed due to technique difficulties.
• Patients who expressed a lack of willingness to participate in the study were not considered eligible for participation.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Quadruple Blind

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248 participants in 2 patient groups

landmark guided ESPB technique

Experimental group

Description:

The ESPB was performed using the landmarks described by Vadera et al. (5). Before initiating the block procedure, the spinous process of the T4 vertebra and a point situated 3 cm to its side are marked at the appropriate level. The needle was inserted perpendicularly to the skin and advanced in all planes until it contacts the vertebra's transverse process. The depth at which the thoracic vertebra's transverse process lies from the skin can vary, ranging from 2 to 4 cm, contingent upon the individual's physique. The needle tip was positioned between the erector spinae muscle and the transverse process. The volume of local anesthetics was injected in this plane.

Treatment:

Procedure: Anatomical landmark-guided ESPB

ultrasound-guided ESPB technique

Active Comparator group

Description:

The block was performed based on the original description by Forero et al. (2). A high-frequency linear transducer (MyLab 70 Xvision, Esaote SpA, Florence, Italy) was positioned in the parasagittal plane 2 cm lateral to the T4 vertebra. Once the transverse process and the overlying erector spinae muscle were visible on the ultrasound, the needle was introduced using the in-plane technique. The needle was inserted in the cranial-to-caudal direction until it reached the tip of the transverse process. Following a negative aspiration and a successful hydro dissection, the local anesthetic solution was injected beneath the erector spinae muscle's fascia.

Treatment:

Procedure: Ultrasound-guided ESPB