Erector spinae block decreases opioid use, shortens hospital stay, Study Finds

Autologous reconstruction of microtia is advantageous due to its inherent biocompatibility and long-term stability, but postoperative pain associated with costal harvest is a significant issue. A well-planned pain management approach is imperative.

Therefore, Gabriel Gomez and colleagues from the Division of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA conducted the present case series review with an objective to introduce the novel application of erector spinae block anesthesia in pediatric microtia reconstruction and evaluate its impact on pain scores, use of opioids, and hospital length of stay.

Data collected included demographics, opioid amounts, Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale scores, opioid-related side effects, and hospital length of stay. The authors used generalized estimating equations to examine the effect of erector spinae block use on total opioid use and pain scores and a linear regression model to assess the effect on hospital stay.

The results showed that –

1. Forty-seven patients were included: 14 in the erector spinae block group and 33 in the continuous wound pump group.
2. The mean age was 8.3 years (SD, 2; range, 6-13), and 13 (32%) were female.
3. Patients in the erector spinae block group had a 65.44% decrease in adjusted total opioid use (95% CI, –79.72% to –41.10%; P < .0001), a decrease in length of hospital stay (β = −1.69 [95% CI, −2.11 to −1.26], P < .0001), and no difference in reported pain scores when compared with patients in the continuous wound pump group.

Hence, the authors concluded that "early experience with an erector spinae block resulted in decreased opioid use and shorter hospital stay as compared with continuous wound infiltration with local anesthetic."