Ultrasound-Guided Paravertebral Block Versus Erector Spinae Plain Block For Perioperative Analgesia In Adults Undergoing Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Nowadays, Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has been the surgical procedure of choice for renal stones larger than 2cm or staghorn stones. Yet, the associated postoperative pain is a major drawback. The regional anesthetic management of pain in PCNL operation has been of great concern. The introduction of ultrasound guided erector spinae plane block and paravertebral plane block has been under great focus regarding the efficacy of postoperative pain management. Paravertebral plane block (PVB) is a regional nerve block technique that depends on local anesthetic injection adjacent to the vertebra to block spinal nerve roots in a dermatomal distribution. Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a newer regional anesthesia technique that depends on injecting local anesthetic (LA) in a plane between the transverse process and erector spinae muscle. The LA diffuses into the paravertebral space and spreads on both rami (dorsal and ventral) of spinal nerves through spaces between adjoining vertebrae.

The aim of this study is to compare the effect of ultrasound guided Paravertebral blockade versus Erector spinae blockade on postoperative opioid use as well as postoperative pain control in patients undergoing unilateral PCNL.