To evaluate the opioid-sparing effects, analgesic efficacy, and safety of erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in children undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) compared to standard multimodal analgesia.
Key Findings:
The ESPB group had significantly lower 24-hour hydromorphone consumption (32.8 ± 10.1 μg/kg vs. 72.9 ± 14.5 μg/kg; P < 0.001), a 55% reduction, with 75 participants analyzed.
Interpretation:
ESPB significantly reduces opioid consumption and postoperative pain in children undergoing LA, supporting its use in multimodal analgesia without increasing adverse events, which is crucial for improving postoperative care.
Limitations:
Single-center study may limit generalizability and diversity of the sample.
Follow-up duration was limited to 24 hours post-surgery.
Conclusion:
Bilateral ultrasound-guided ESPB at T8 is effective in reducing opioid use and managing postoperative pain in pediatric laparoscopic appendectomy.
