Effect of erector spinae plane block on postoperative nausea and vomiting in lumbar disc herniation surgery.

Study Summary

92 patients with lumbar disc herniation undergoing elective single-level lumbar discectomy were randomized to receive a bilateral erector spinae plane (ESP) block with 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine per side or a bilateral sham block with 20 mL saline per side. The primary outcome was post op nausea and vomiting (PONV) incidence during the first 24 postoperative hours. Secondary outcomes included nausea severity, rescue antiemetic and analgesic requirements, intraoperative remifentanil consumption, postoperative pain intensity, and the relationship between pain and nausea severity. Overall, the results revealed that ESP block reduced 24-hour PONV from 34.1% to 10%, while also reducing early postoperative nausea, pain, intraoperative remifentanil consumption, and rescue medication requirements. Pain and nausea severity were positively correlated throughout the postoperative period. These findings suggest that ESP block may enhance recovery after lumbar disc surgery by providing effective analgesia while simultaneously reducing PONV.