Answer to the letter to the editor of JY Li et al. concerning "Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane blocks for pain management after open lumbar laminectomy" by Stewart et al. (Eur Spine J [2022]: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-023-07881-4).

This document is a response to a letter to the editor regarding a study on the use of erector spinae plane blocks (ESPBs) for pain management after open lumbar laminectomy. The authors address the concerns raised in the letter, stating that there was no surgical site infiltration in either group and that the only difference was the administration of ESPBs in the study group. They also discuss the limitations of surgical site infiltration and the need for further research comparing ESPBs with local wound infiltration. The authors acknowledge the need to assess functional pain in future studies and clarify that there is no evidence supporting the claim that pain scores of 3 or less are necessary for early mobilization. They also acknowledge a typographical error in one of the tables and state that they are working with the publishers to correct it. [Extracted from the article]