Effect of Adding Dexmedetomidine As Adjuvant to Bupivacaine in US Guided ESPB for Post MRM Pain Management

Overview

The aim of the study is to assess the effect of adding dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine in US guided erector spinae plane block in modified radical mastectomy surgeries , Using visual analogue score and post-operative narcotics consumption. Peripheral nerve blocks are effective adjuvant options for pain management in breast surgeries. The use of Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) has been proven to be very effective in controlling pain and minimizing narcotic consumption after modified radical mastectomy surgeries. Many adjuvants to local anaesthetics were used to improve the duration and intensity of the peripheral nerve block.

Breast cancer is one of the most important medical problems in the female gender, since among every eight women, one will suffer from breast cancer during her lifetime. Acute post-operative pain is very common after breast surgeries which requires adequate pain management. Different peripheral nerve blocks such as paravertebral block had been used as an analgesic option for breast surgeries. Erector spinae plane block is a newer interfascial plane block first described in 2016 who used it for treating thoracic neuropathic pain by injecting a local anesthetic deep into the erector spinae muscle at the level of T5. Moreover, ESPB is a reasonable option, with clearly identifiable sonographic landmarks and LA needle insertion and injection locations. Later studies have shown that ESPB can provide effective analgesia in breast surgeries. ESPB is achieved by injecting the local anesthetics locally deep to erector spinae muscle surface, as a part of multimodal analgesia. Given that erector spinae muscles anatomically situate along the thoracolumbar spine, ESPB promotes an extensive craniocaudal spread. Ultrasound is a non-invasive visualization technology that helps in capturing the anatomical structure of target tissues, it can help to guide the direction and depth of anesthesia puncture needles, thus reducing the risk of complications . Adjuvants to local anesthetics, such as opioids, alpha 2 agonists, magnesium and dexamethasone may improve the duration and intensity of peripheral nerve blocks effect.