Erector Spinae Plane Block for Post-thoracotomy Pain Control

The thoracic epidural block (TEB) and thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) are the most commonly used techniques for analgesia after thoracic surgery. However, TEA has several adverse effects, such as hypotension, motor blockade, hematoma, and abscess and TPVB has a chance of epidural spread and pneumothorax, and multiple injections are needed if more than 4 dermatome analgesia is required. Recently, erector spinae plane block (ESPB) was reported as a treatment for thoracic neuropathic pain. ESPB is a relatively simple technique with easily identified sonographic landmarks, and a catheter is easily inserted into the plane after distention induced by the injection. Additionally, the ESPB has the potential to provide both somatic and visceral sensory blockade. The selectivity of dexmedetomidine to the α2-receptors is eight times of its prototype, clonidine. Accordingly, dexmedetomidine is a more powerful sedative and analgesic drug than clonidine with less hemodynamic derangements from the α1-receptor activation. Dexmedetomidine has been primarily used for intra- venous sedation in intensive care settings. The unique analgesic properties of dexmedetomidine have encouraged the anesthesiologists to use it perineurally. Previous studies have declared that dexmedetomidine potentiates local anesthetic effect when administered by neuroaxial route. This study aims to evaluate the effect ultrasound erector spinae plane block with dexmedetomidine infusion in management of acute and chronic post thoracotomy pain.