Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block improves the clinical outcome of kyphoplasty for acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures

Background Percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) has been reported to provide a favourable analgesic effect for pain caused by osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). However, in some patients, postoperative residual pain (PRP) still persists after PKP and affects their quality of life. Methods A total of 200 patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. The PKP + US-ESPB group received an ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block during PKP, whereas the control group only underwent PKP. The VAS score, ODI score, and rate of patients with lower back pain were compared between the 2 groups at 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after surgery. Results The PKP + US-ESPB group (n = 92) presented significantly lower VAS scores at 1 day after surgery (P < 0.001), at 3 days (P < 0.001) and at 1 week (P < 0.001); however, there were no significant differences at 1 month, 3 months or 6 months between the two groups. The PKP + US-ESPB group had significantly lower ODI scores at 3 days after surgery (P < 0.001), at 1 week (P < 0.001) and at 1 month (P < 0.001); the scores were slightly lower at 1 day after surgery (P = 0.007). The percentage of patients with distal lumbosacral pain in the PKP + US-ESPB group was significantly lower at 1 day after surgery, at 3 days and at 1 week; there was no significant difference at 1 month after surgery, at 3 months or at 6 months between the two groups. Conclusion US-ESPB improved the short-term clinical outcome of PKP for OVCFs and accelerated patients’ pain improvement and functional recovery.