Bilateral Ultrasound-Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block Versus Transversus Abdominis Plane Block on Postoperative Analgesia after Total Abdominal Hysterectomy

Background: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks provide postoperative pain relief after various abdominal surgeries. Recently, erector spinae plane (ESP) block has obtained vast attention due to its simplicity and usage in truncal procedures. Objectives: This study aims to compare the ultrasound-guided bilateral ESP block versus bilateral TAP block on postoperative analgesia after open total abdominal hysterectomy. Study Design: A prospective, double-blinded, randomized, controlled, clinical trial. Setting: Zagazig University Hospitals. Methods: After ending of surgical procedure and before reversing of the muscle relaxant, 48 women were randomly allocated into 2 equal groups: erector spinae (ES) group received bilateral ultrasound-guided ESP block with 20 mL of bupivacaine 0.375% plus 5 ug/mL adrenaline (1:200000) in each side at the level of T9, and transversus abdominis (TA) group received bilateral ultrasound-guided TAP block with the same volume of bupivacaine plus adrenaline. Results: Visual Analog Scale scores at 30 minutes, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 hours were statistically significantly lower in the ES group compared with the TA group. The time for requirement of first morphine was highly statistically significantly prolonged in the ES group (14.81 ± 3.52 hours) compared with the TA group (10.58 ± 2.35 hours). The total amount of morphine consumption in 24 hours postoperatively was statistically significantly decreased in the ES group; P = 0.01. Incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was higher but statistically insignificant in the TA group than the ES group. There were statistically significant numbers of unsatisfied patients (4) in the TA group compared with the ES group (no patient). Limitations: Sensorial evaluation of patients was not performed because both blocks had been done under general anesthesia but did not affect outcome. Therefore we recommend further studies comparing between both blocks. Conclusions: Bilateral ultrasound-guided ESP block provides more potent and longer postoperative analgesia with less morphine consumption than TAP block after open total abdominal hysterectomy. Key words: Abdominal hysterectomy, transversus abdominis plane block, erector spinae plane block, postoperative analgesia