The Analgesic Efficacy of Dexamethasone as an adjuvant to Levobupivacaine for Ultrasound Guided Bilateral Erector Spinae Plane Block in Thoraco-lumbar spine surgeries : A Randomized Study

Patients undergoing thoracolumbar spine surgeries usually suffer severe pain during the perioperative period. Fascial plane blocks are emerging techniques in the management of pain both during the perioperative period and in the chronic pain. One among them is the Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB).Dexamethasone is added as an adjuvant to levobupivacaine in this study because it has been reported to prolong duration of action of local anesthetics with no respiratory depression or any adverse side effects. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of combining Dexamethasone to 0.25% Levobupivacaine in ultrasound guided bilateral Erector Spinae Plane Block in Thoraco-lumbar spine surgeries. Written informed consent will be taken and thorough preanesthetic evaluation will be done to ensure adherence to inclusion and exclusion criteria . A standard general anesthesia technique will be followed in all patients. After turning to prone position, ESPB will be performed under ultrasound guided technique under strict aseptic precautions. After 15 -20 minutes of block setup time, the surgeons will be allowed to proceed with the surgical procedure and the block success will be assessed with the primary and secondary outcomes.