Background: Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a promising technique for effective analgesia. It is still uncertain if ESPB offers the same opioid-sparing effect as thoracic paravertebral block (PVB) in midline incision for upper abdominal surgery.
Methods: The study is a prospective, bi-center, randomized, controlled, non-inferior trial.158 patients scheduled for upper abdominal surgery were randomly assigned to receive bilateral ESPB or PVB before surgery. The primary outcome will be the equivalent cumulative analgesia dosage of sufentanil during the surgery, which was defined as the total dosage of sufentanil from anesthesia induction to tracheal extubation. The main secondary outcomes include postoperative complications and the quality of recovery-15 score at 24, 48h, and 30 days after surgery.
Discussion: This study will assess the opioid-sparing efficacy of ESPB and PVB, complications, and the quality of recovery of two blocks.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.govChiCTR2300073030. https://www.chictr.org.cn/Registered on 30 June 2023