Effects of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block in radical prostatectomy surgery on pain and surgical stress response

Key messagesAcute pain develops as a result of tissue damage caused by surgical trauma in radical prostatectomy. Erector spina plane block applying local anesthetic between the erector spina muscle and the vertebral transverse has provided effective perioperative pain management. BackgroundErector spina plane block, as a part of a multimodal approach in perioperative pain management, is effective in many surgical procedures on pain management. The aim of this prospective, randomized, controlled study was to investigate the effects of erector spinae plane block on pain, analgesic consumption, and surgical stress in radical prostatectomy operations.ResultsForty-six patients operated for elective open radical prostatectomy surgery were randomly allocated to Group B (n = 23) and Group K (n = 23). Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block was performed bilaterally on patients in Group B, while group K was the control group. Remifentanil and tramadol consumption, rescue analgesic need, pain scores, and nausea-vomiting scores were less in Group B. While there was no difference in glucose, cortisol, insulin, and C-reactive protein values at all times between groups, postoperative 24-h prolactin values were higher in Group B. Shapiro-Wilk test, Student t-test, and Mann-Whitney U-test were used for statistical analysis.ConclusionsUltrasound-guided erector spinae plane block is an effective analgesic method in radical retropubic prostatectomy surgeries providing a reduction in intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption but has limited effect on the surgical stress response.