A randomised controlled study to compare the efficacy of post-operative analgesia with Thoracolumbar Interfascial plane block and bilateral Erector Spinae plane block following Posterior Lumbar Interbody fusion spine surgery

This randomized controlled study aims to compare the efficacy of thoracolumbar interfascial plane (TLIP) block and bilateral erector spinae plane (ESPB) block for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) spine surgery. After obtaining approval from institutional ethical committee and informed consent from the patients , a total no. of 66 adult patients (ASA I–III, aged 18–60 years) will be randomly allocated into two groups, receiving either ESPB or TLIP block under ultrasound guidance with 0.375% ropivacaine after surgical closure and before extubation. Allocation will be concealed, and postoperative assessments will be blinded. The primary outcome is postoperative pain relief measured using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at 2, 8, and 24 hours, while secondary outcomes include quality of recovery assessed with the QoR-15 questionnaire, total rescue analgesic consumption, and time to first rescue dose. Intravenous paracetamol will be used as rescue analgesia when NRS exceeds 3. The study seeks to determine the more effective block technique for improving postoperative pain control and recovery in lumbar spine surgeries.