Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) was originally developed for the treatment of neuropathic chest pain and has since been used in various thoracic, lumbar, and sacral surgeries. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to establish whether unilateral or bilateral ESPB is more effective for pain management in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 54 adult patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were divided into three groups: unilateral ESPB, bilateral ESPB, and a control group (no ESPB). The unilateral ESPB group received 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine preoperatively at the T8 vertebral level. The bilateral ESPB group received 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine to both sides of the vertebra. The control group received no intervention, and all three groups received general anesthesia. Intraoperatively, all patients received 50 mg of dexketoprofen and 1 mg/kg of tramadol. Postoperative tramadol use and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were recorded at 0 min, 30 min, 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h. RESULTS: Demographic characteristics did not differ significantly between the groups. At the 6 h post-surgery, the VAS scores in the bilateral ESPB group were significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.001). Total tramadol use in 24 h was significantly lower in the bilateral ESPB group compared with the control group (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral ESPB could be a valuable component of multimodal analgesia strategies in laparoscopic cholecystectomies.