Ultrasound Guide Bilateral Erector Spinae Block Versus Caudal Epidural Analgesia for Perioperative Analgesia in Lumbar Spine Surgeries:Randomized Controlled Study

● The patient will be in the prone position, after skin sterilization, ESP block will be performed at the level of L3. a curvilinear high-frequency ultrasound transducer (Siemens acuson x300 3-5 MHz ultrasound) will be placed sagittal 3 cm lateral to L3 spinous process where a hyperechoic shadow of the transverse process (TP) and erector spinae will be defined. A 22-gauge spinal needle will be inserted in cranial to caudal direction toward TP in plane to the ultrasound transducer until the needle touches the TP crossing the whole muscles. The location of the needle tip will be confirmed by visible normal saline solution separating erector spinae muscle off the bony shadow of the TP on ultrasound imaging. After confirming the needle site, 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine will be injected. The procedure will be repeated following the same steps on the other side.

the patient will be positioned in prone position, sterilized from the iliac crest margin to the lower buttock by betadine three times and will be covered by sterile drapes exposing the sacral area. Sacral horns will be palpated and sacral hiatus and epidural area will be determined at S4-S5 level through the ultrasound linear transducer probe that is covered in sterile plastic bag . Short axis (transverse) is used first to identify the two sacral cornua as two hyperechoic reverse U-shaped structure "Frog sign" and the sacrococcygeal ligament in between and epidural space beneath. An 18-gauge epidural needle (length 90 mm) is used for direct puncture of sacrococcygeal membrane out of plane then the probe is rotated to long axis (longitudinal) and the needle is seen in plane in the epidural space. Injection of 30 ml 0.125% bupivacaine will expand the epidural space.