Erector spinae plane block for peri‐operative analgesia in a patient undergoing surgery for Ewing's sarcoma of the clavicle

Abstract

The erector spinae plane block is a regional anaesthetic technique originally developed to manage thoracic neuropathic pain. It is popular because of its ease of learning and its applicability in various types of surgeries, providing both cutaneous and visceral analgesia. We report a case of a 30-year-old man who underwent excision of Ewing's sarcoma of the clavicle with brachiocephalic vein repair and pectoralis major myocutaneous flap reconstruction under general anaesthesia, with bilateral erector spinae plane block, with catheter insertion on the side of the lesion. The operation necessitated peri-operative anticoagulation, and so erector spinae blocks were performed to provide analgesia where epidural insertion was contraindicated. Adequate pain relief was achieved during the entire postoperative stay. The erector spinae plane block is thought to work due to the direct spread and diffusion of local anaesthetic into the posterior rami of spinal nerves located deep to the erector spinae muscles, and anterior spread into paravertebral space with additional effect potentially due to systemic absorption This case highlights the role of the erector spinae plane block in complex clavicular surgery requiring peri-operative anticoagulation, and potentially obviates the need for neuraxial analgesia.