COMPARISION OF EFFICACY OF POST OPERATIVE ANALGESIA BY ULTRASOUND GUIDED BILATERAL ERECTOR SPINAE BLOCK USING 0.25 % LEVOPBUPIVACAINE WITH AND WITHOUT DEXMEDETOMIDINE IN ELECTIVE ADULT CARDIAC SURGERIES- RANDOMIZED DOUBLE BLINDED STUDY

Postoperative pain following cardiac surgery is multifactorial, arising from sternotomy, tissue trauma, drains, and thoracic cage retraction. Adequate analgesia is essential for enhanced recovery, early mobilization, and reduction of opioid consumption. The erector spinae plane (ESP) block has emerged as a safe and effective regional analgesic technique in cardiac surgical patients. Dexmedetomidine, when used as an adjuvant to local anesthetics, may prolong analgesic duration and improve pain control.

This prospective, randomized, double-blinded study aims to compare the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided bilateral ESP block using 0.25% levobupivacaine with and without dexmedetomidine in adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery.

Fifty patients will be randomized into two groups. Group LP will receive bilateral ESP block with 0.25% levobupivacaine, while Group LD will receive 0.25% levobupivacaine with dexmedetomidine (20 µg).

The primary outcomes include total opioid consumption and time to first rescue analgesia within 24 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes include postoperative pain scores (VAS), haemodynamic parameters, sedation scores, duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU stay, and adverse effects.

The study is designed to evaluate whether dexmedetomidine provides superior postoperative analgesia when used as an adjuvant in ESP block for cardiac surgical patients.