Efficiency of erector spinae plane block in surgery for congenital spinal deformities in children

Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of anesthesia with ESP-block compared to general combined anesthesia for surgical correction of congenital spinal deformity in children. Material and methods. A prospective randomized clinical study involved 50 children aged 1—16 years who underwent surgical correction of congenital spinal deformity. Physical status of all patients corresponded to ASA class I—III. Patients were randomized into 2 groups: combined anesthesia with bilateral ultrasound-guided ESP block (0.5% ropivacaine 3 mg/kg) (n=26) and general combined anesthesia (n=24). Results. Total dose of fentanyl was significantly lower in the ESP-block group (200—400 µg vs 400—800 µg, p<0.05). Hemodynamic parameters, blood loss, awakening time, extubation time, recovery of motor responses on command and time to achieve Aldrete score 9 were comparable between groups (p>0.05). ESP-block did not increase duration of surgery (p=0.503) and anesthesia (p=0.869). Conclusion. The ESP-block is an effective and safe component of multimodal analgesia in children undergoing correction of congenital spinal deformities. It reduces the need for opioids, does not increase the incidence of adverse events and does not cause motor block. This is crucial for neurological assessment.