Abstract
Background
Acute pain represents one of the most common reasons for emergency department (ED)
visits. In the opioid epidemic that North America faces, there is a significant demand
for novel effective pain control modalities, especially in the acute setting.
Objectives
The goal of this study was to review all the indications and summarize the efficacy
of the Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) in the ED.
Methods
PubMed, EMBASE, and MEDLINE, as well as CINAHL databases were searched according to
the PRISMA guidelines to find any study reporting on the use of ESPB in the ED.
Results
Ten studies were published reporting on seven different indications for the use of
ESPB in the ED. It was most commonly used for rib and spine fractures. Other indications
included: mechanical pain, burn injuries, herpes zoster, renal colic, and acute pancreatitis.
All the studies demonstrated a significant reduction in pain after administration
of ESPB. Furthermore, it has been reported to improve respiratory function and was
not associated with any complications after administration.
Conclusions
ESPB is an easy-to-administer interfascial plane block that has several indications
and promising potential for acute pain management in the ED. The easily identified
landmarks coupled with its low complication rate makes it an appealing technique to
be used by emergency physicians in the context of acute pain management. Further studies
should investigate any other possible indications and compare its efficacy with other
techniques, such as epidurals and serratus anterior blocks.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 31, 2020
Accepted:
February 16,
2020
Received in revised form:
December 31,
2019
Received:
October 19,
2019
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
