Dexamethasone Versus Magnesium Sulphate as an Adjuvant to Bupivacaine in Ultrasound Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Elective Caesarean Section Under Spinal Anesthesia

Overview

This study aims to compare the efficacy of adding dexamethasone and magnesium sulfate as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in bilateral erector spinae block in postoperative pain control in patients undergoing caesarean section under spinal anesthesia.

Caesarean section (CS) is the most common abdominal surgery among women worldwide. Inadequately treated postoperative pain can contribute significantly to morbidity of surgical patients, resulting in the delay of patients' recovery and ability to return to daily functional activities, increased incidence of chronic pain, and post-traumatic stress syndrome. The ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) block is a recently described interfascial paraspinal plane technique that was initially used by Forero et al. for providing thoracic analgesia when performed at the level of T5 transverse process. Since the pain experienced after caesarean delivery using a Pfannenstiel incision has both a somatic and visceral component. Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) may be helpful as an analgesic adjuvant in regional anesthesia because it improves and prolongs the analgesic effect of local anesthetics. Dexamethasone is a potent glucocorticoid medication commonly used as an adjuvant to reduce postoperative pain. The mechanisms of perineurally administered dexamethasone are likely attributed to complex interactions, including direct inhibition of signal transmission in nociceptive C fibres, local vasoconstriction, and reduced local inflammation.

Conditions