Comparison of ultrasound guided erector spinae plane block and fascia iliaca block for postoperative analgesia in hemiarthroplasty: a double-blind randomized trial

Background & Objective: Peripheral nerve blocks are one of the peri-operative analgesic options that abolish surgical stress response, reduce the use of opioids, and control postoperative pain. During the previous few decades regional anesthesia and analgesia techniques have been widely used, especially with the enhanced safety and precision in these procedures with the use of ultrasound. We compared the efficacy of Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) with Fascia Iliaca Block (FIB) for postoperative pain in hemiarthroplasty surgery. Methodology: This randomized double-blind trial included sixty-eight cases scheduled for hemiarthroplasty under spinal anesthesia. Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups: Group ES received ESPB, and Group FI received FIB. Blocks were performed preoperatively using 15 mL bupivacaine 0.25%- and 15 mL lidocaine 2%. Postoperatively, pain was assessed with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at 1 h, 2 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h. Results: The mean time to first dose and the amount of morphine used in the first 24 hours were comparable between Group ES and Group FI. Visual analogue scale measurements at rest and movement showed insignificant differences between both groups at 1 h, 2 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h. Quadriceps motor impairment revealed significant reduction in Group ES compared to Group FI (11.76 vs 44.12%, P = 0.006). Conclusions: In hemiarthroplasty, the analgesic profile of erector spinae plane block was comparable with fascia iliaca block with superiority of the former in preserving the quadriceps motor power. Keywords: Ultrasound, Erector Spinae Plane Block, Fascia Iliaca Block, Analgesia, Hemiarthroplasty Citation: Ahmed MB, Mohammed MM, Amin SMM, Belata MM. Comparison of ultrasound guided erector spinae plane block and fascia iliaca block for postoperative analgesia in hemiarthroplasty: a double-blind randomized trial. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2024;28(5):791−797; DOI: 10.35975/apic.v28i5.2562 Received: April 29, 2024; Reviewed: August 19, 2024; Accepted: August 25, 2024