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Updated: Jan 18, 2026

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Success of Ultrasound-Guided Neuraxial Anesthesia in Cases with Difficult Anatomy
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Published on: January 31, 2025

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A comparative study between ultrasound guided serratus anterior block and erector spinae block for perioperative

Khyati Arora1, Reena2, Amrita Rath2

  • 1Department of Anaesthesiology, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Faridabad, Haryana, India.

Journal of Anaesthesiology, Clinical Pharmacology
|January 16, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) offers superior pain management compared to serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) in children after thoracotomy. ESPB resulted in lower pain scores and reduced opioid needs, improving recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Anesthesiology
  • Regional Anesthesia
  • Pain Management

Background:

  • Post-thoracotomy pain in children is often under-managed.
  • Limited literature exists on pediatric thoracotomy pain control.
  • Ultrasound-guided regional blocks like SAPB and ESPB show promise.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy of ESPB versus SAPB for post-thoracotomy pain in pediatric patients.
  • To evaluate pain scores, opioid consumption, and recovery metrics.

Main Methods:

  • A comparative study involving 60 pediatric patients (5-14 years) undergoing open thoracotomy.
  • Patients were randomized to receive either SAPB (Group S) or ESPB (Group E) using ultrasound guidance.
  • Pain was assessed using the Wong-Baker Faces scale; secondary outcomes included fentanyl consumption, physiotherapy initiation, and hospital stay duration.

Main Results:

  • Group E (ESPB) demonstrated significantly lower pain scores at multiple time points (8-24 hours) compared to Group S (SAPB).
  • Cumulative fentanyl consumption was significantly lower in the ESPB group.
  • Time to initiate chest physiotherapy and duration of hospital stays were significantly reduced in the ESPB group.

Conclusions:

  • ESPB provides superior pain relief compared to SAPB in pediatric patients following thoracotomy.
  • ESPB leads to reduced opioid requirements and faster recovery, including earlier physiotherapy initiation and shorter hospital stays.
Abstract

Keywords:
Painthoracotomyultrasound

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