Effect of Bilateral Spinae Erector Block (ESP) and Perioperative Gabapentin on Recovery and Length of Stay in Adolescent Spinal Fusion Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Stud

One of the major challenges in postoperative care following posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is achieving adequate pain control. Opioid-sparing multimodal anesthetic strategies are crucial for achieving effective postoperative pain control and facilitating early mobilization. The erector spinae (ESP) block has been reported as part of various opioid-sparing strategies for spine surgery. Perioperative oral gabapentin (in different dosing protocols) may contribute to reduce postoperative pain and opioid consumption.

The primary aim of this retrospective study was to compare time to ambulation (hours) between two groups of adolescent spinal fusion patients: a group who received intravenous multimodal analgesic strategy alone (MMA group) and another group who received a multimodal analgesic strategy in combination with a preoperative ESP block and oral gabapentin (MMA-ESP-G group). The secondary aim was to compare intensive care length of stay, perioperative opioid requirements and time to urinary catheter removal between groups.

This is a retrospective review of 34 consecutive adolescent spinal fusion patients during August-September 2023 at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina. The investigators compared two groups: 1) MMA group received an intravenous multimodal analgesic strategy, 2) MMA-ESP-G group received an intravenous multimodal analgesic strategy in combination with a preoperative, ultrasound-guided, bilateral ESP block (administration of a local anesthetic mixture of ropivacaine 0.375% and lidocaine 1%) and a 100mg dose of oral gabapentin 4 nights daily before surgery and 2 weeks postoperatively. Both strategies were protocolized at our institution.

Data was analyzed for the primary outcome: median time to ambulation difference between groups. Differences were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05.