Comparative retrospective review of perioperative analgesia using ultrasound-guided programmed intermittent erector spinae plane block for video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy

Abstract Background The retrospective cohort study was conducted to estimate the opioid-sparing anesthesia and limited side-effects with ultrasound (US)-guided ESPB using programmed intermittent bolus (PIB) or continuous infusion (CI) and standard opioid-based anesthesia in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy (VATS). Methods Patients underwent VATS were stratified into either control group or one of the two ESPB groups in a 1:2:2 ratio depending on whether PIB was implemented or not. The primary endpoint was intra- and post-operative opioids consumption over the first 48 h following surgery. Results A total of 180 cases were included in the analysis. Cumulative perioperative opioid administration was found to be significantly different between PIB, CI and control group (both p