Erector spinae plane block in Caesarean sections: A scoping review

Pain management for Caesarean section focuses on multimodal analgesia with a growing interest in the use of regional techniques. Currently, there is no gold standard peripheral regional analgesia technique for Caesarean section. The Erector Spinae Plane Block is a relatively new fascial plane block that may be used to provide analgesia for numerous surgical procedures of the trunk. In recent years it is the fascial plane block that has accumulated the most enthusiasm and debate. Its use in Caesarean section has grown over the past three years.

To determine the scope of literature published on ESPB in Caesarean sections and to identify deficits in the literature to guide future research.

This study was conducted using Arksey and O'Malley's framework for scoping reviews. This included a search of four databases searching for articles published between 2016 and 2022. Studies involving patients receiving ESPB as part of an analgesic strategy after a Caesarean section were included.

Sixteen articles were included for final review. The most common primary outcomes measured were postoperative pain scores and analgesia consumption. Six ESPB studies recorded a statistically significant reduction in pain scores while three studies described a statistically significant reduction in postoperative analgesia consumption.

The use of ESPB for Caesarean section is gaining momentum however insufficient evidence currently exists to support its widespread use. Further research is required to evaluate the potential benefits of ESPB in specific patient cohorts and in terms of its efficacy about multidimensional patient-centric outcomes.