Lidocaine Versus ESP - After Bariatric Surgery

Overview

The Erector Spinal Block (ESP) is based on the deposition of the local anesthetic in the inter-fascial space between the dorsal extensor muscle and the intercostal muscles at the height of the transverse processes. The scope of the blockade covers the dorsal and ventral branches of the thoracic spinal nerves, but also in most cases the investigetors are able to obtain a wide distribution of the drug into the paravertebral space by "permeating" the local anesthetic through the fascial compartments. The clinical effect of the blockade is due to blocking the nerve structures of the paravertebral space (spinal nerve branches and the sympathetic trunk). The scope of the blockade, after its execution at the level of Th5, most often includes the segments from Th1 to L1. Lidocaine used in intravenous infusion is one of the recommended components of multidirectional analgesia. Its adjuvant properties make it possible to reduce the amount of opioid drugs used, and thus - to reduce the frequency of their side effects. The aim of the study is to test the effectiveness and safety of the use of lidocaine infusion or Erector Spinal Block in multimodal analgesic management.

In bariatric surgery, overall pain is a conglomerate of three different and clinically separate components: incisional pain (somatic pain), visceral pain (deep intra abdominal pain), and shoulder pain due to peritoneal stretching and diaphragmatic irritation associated with carbon dioxide insufflation. Moreover, it has been hypothesized that intense acute pain after labdomen surgery may predict development of chronic pain. Without effective treatment, this ongoing pain may delay recovery, mandate inpatient admission, and thereby increase the cost of such care.