Analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block versus costotransverse foramen block in patients with chest trauma: A randomized controlled study.

Study Summary

58 patients with isolated chest trauma were randomized to receive an ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) with 25 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine or an ultrasound-guided costotransverse foramen block (CTFB) using the same local anesthetic regimen. The primary outcome was the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain score 20 minutes after treatment. Secondary outcomes included pain scores at additional time points, onset and duration of analgesia, block failure, rescue analgesic use, patient satisfaction, adverse events, and pain at 1 and 3 months. Acute outcomes were assessed for up to 4 hours and at emergency department disposition, with longer-term assessments at 1 and 3 months. Overall, the results revealed no significant differences between ESPB and CTFB in pain at rest or during movement at 20 minutes, and both techniques produced rapid, sustained analgesia with comparable block duration, rescue analgesia, failure rates, and satisfaction. However, ESPB may be preferable because it is more superficial and technically easier to perform.