Continuous erector spinae plane block versus thoracic epidural analgesia in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a prospective randomized open-label non-inferiority trial

Background and objectives The evolving surgical techniques in thoracoscopic surgery necessitate the exploration of anesthesiological techniques. This study aimed to investigate whether incorporating a continuous erector spinae plane (ESP) block into a multimodal analgesia regimen is non-inferior to continuous thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) in terms of quality of postoperative recovery for patients undergoing elective unilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Methods We conducted a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label non-inferiority trial between July 2020 and December 2022. Ninety patients were randomly assigned to receive either continuous ESP block or TEA. The primary outcome parameter was the Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) score, measured before surgery as a baseline and on postoperative days 0, 1, and 2. Secondary outcome parameters included pain scores, length of hospital stay, morphine consumption, nausea and vomiting, itching, speed of mobilization, and urinary catheterization. Results Analysis of the primary outcome showed a mean QoR-15 difference between the groups ESP block versus TEA of 1 (95% CI −9 to –12, p=0.79) on day 0, –1 (95% CI −11 to –8, p=0.81) on day 1 and −2 (95% CI −14 to –11, p=0.79) on day 2. Conclusions The continuous ESP block is non-inferior to TEA in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Trial registration number Dutch Trial Register (NL6433).