A comparison of the ultrasound-guided modified-thoracolumbar interfascial plane block and wound infiltration for postoperative pain management in lumbar spinal surgery patients

Objectives: Pain management is an important issue following lumbar spinal surgery. Wound infiltration is a technique that a local anesthetic solution is infiltrated into the tissues around the surgical area. Previous studies reported that US-guided modified thoracolumbar interfacial plane (mTLIP) block after lumbar spinal surgery provided effective analgesia. In this study, we aimed to compare the analgesic efficacy of the US-guided mTLIP block and wound infiltration following lumbar disc surgery. Methods: 60 patients aged 18-65 years, ASA classification I-II, and scheduled for lumbar disc surgery under general anesthesia were included in the study. US-guided mTLIP block was performed via the lateral approach in group T (n=30), and wound infiltration was performed in group W (n=30). Opioid consumption, postoperative pain scores and adverse effects of opioids, such as allergic reactions, nausea, and vomiting, were recorded. Results: Opioid consumption and the use of rescue analgesia were significantly lower in group T in all the postoperative periods (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 h) (p<0.05). The VAS scores for pain during mobility and while at rest were significantly lower in group T than those in group W 8 h after the surgery (p<0.05). The incidences of nausea, vomiting, and itching in group W were higher than the incidences in group T. Conclusion: The mTLIP block provides effective analgesia for the first 24 h following lumbar disc surgery, and it may be an alternative to wound infiltration for pain management.