Papers of the Week

The objective was to determine whether an erector spinae plane (ESP) block could provide additional postoperative analgesic benefits compared with a transversus abdominis plane block. 78 patients were separated into two groups (n = 39 per group). Both groups received bilateral injections of 266 mg Exparel (20 ml) and 60 ml of 0.125% bupivacaine. Patients undergoing a transversus abdominis plane block received these injections intraoperatively, while patients undergoing an ESP block received these preoperatively. Outcomes were measured based on scores in opioid usage; pain (visual analog scale) at rest and with movement; nausea; sedation and patient satisfaction. There were no significant intergroup differences in any category (all scores had p > 0.05). No additional analgesic benefits were found using the ESP block procedure.