Randomized controlled trial comparing the analgesic efficacy of erector spinae plane block versus standard analgesia protocol in laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anaesthesia

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the analgesic efficacy of bilateral erector spinae plane block with standard analgesia protocol in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anaesthesia. Ninety patients aged 18 to 60 years with ASA physical status one or two will be randomly allocated into two groups. The intervention group will receive bilateral erector spinae plane block with 20 ml of 0 point 25 percent bupivacaine and 2 mg dexamethasone on each side before induction of general anaesthesia. The control group will receive standard postoperative analgesia consisting of intravenous diclofenac and paracetamol with tramadol as rescue analgesia. Postoperative pain will be assessed using visual analogue scale at predefined time intervals up to 24 hours. Total opioid consumption, time to first rescue analgesia, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting and patient satisfaction will also be evaluated. The study aims to determine whether erector spinae plane block provides superior postoperative analgesia and reduces opioid requirement compared to standard analgesia protocol.