Comparison of Postoperative Analgesic Effect of Ultrasound-guided Erector Spinae Plane Block and Local Anaesthetic Infiltration with 0.375% Ropivacaine in Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Patients: A Randomised Clinical Study

Introduction: The Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) is a novel procedure that has shown benefits in postoperative pain management for various surgeries. It involves the systemic infiltration of anaesthesia into the surrounding tissues, which helps to suppress local pain responses. Aim: To compare the efficacy of Ultrasound-guided (USG) ESPB with local anaesthetic infiltration in postoperative pain management for patients undergoing Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL). The comparison was based on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score and the time taken for the first rescue analgesic requirement, along with its total consumption within 24 hours. Materials and Methods: A randomised clinical study was conducted in the Department of Anaesthesia at Velammal Medical College and Hospital, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. The duration of the study was two months, from September 2022 to October 2022. A total of 70 patients were randomly assigned to either group L (n=35) (local anaesthetic infiltration) or group E (n=35) (USG-guided ESPB). Demographic details, NRS pain scores, time taken for the first rescue analgaesia, and total consumption within 24 hours were noted and analysed. Descriptive analysis was performed, and a comparison between the groups was made using the Mann-Whitney U test or Chisquare test. Analysis was conducted using coGuide V1.0.3. Results: The mean age (mean +/- SD) of the study participants in group L and group E was found to be 49.31 +/- 13.96 years and 46.37 +/- 13.72 years, respectively. A total of 35 patients were included in each group, consisting of 16 (45.71%) females and 19 (54.29%) males in both groups. The difference in NRS scores was significant at 30 minutes, one hour (p-value <0.001), and six hours (p-value <0.011). The median time required for the first rescue analgesic was found to be 480 and 30 minutes in group E and group L, respectively (p-value <0.001). The median total consumption within 24 hours was 50 mg in both groups. Conclusion: The USG-guided ESPB provided a longer-lasting analgesic effect in postoperative pain management for PCNL patients, as evidenced by the NRS pain scale, postoperative opioid consumption, and time for the first rescue analgesia.