Erector spinae plane block to reduce opioid and anesthetic use in lumbar disc surgery

Comparison of the Effects of Preoperative and Intraoperative Erector Spinae Plane Block on Opioid Consumption, Anesthetic Consumption and Hemodynamics in Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgeries.

Not applicable Interventional Ankara Ataturk Sanatorium Training and Research Hospital · NCT06933498

This study will test whether giving an erector spinae plane block before or during lumbar disc herniation surgery lowers opioid and anesthetic use and helps keep blood pressure more stable in adults having these operations.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
SponsorAnkara Ataturk Sanatorium Training and Research Hospital Government
Locations1 site (Ankara)
Trial IDNCT06933498 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This single-center, randomized trial will enroll 60 adults (age 18–75) undergoing lumbar disc herniation surgery under general anesthesia and randomly assign them 1:1 to receive a preoperative or an intraoperative erector spinae plane block in addition to standard anesthesia and analgesia. The team will record intraoperative anesthetic and opioid consumption and monitor perioperative hemodynamics and postoperative pain. Randomization is computer-generated and allocation lists are kept securely by the clinical research team. The protocol excludes patients with severe cardiovascular disease, coagulation disorders, prior same-level surgery, planned total intravenous anesthesia, or other specified contraindications.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–75 with BMI 18–40, ASA class I–III, undergoing one- to three-level lumbar disc herniation surgery under general anesthesia who can give informed consent are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with severe cardiac disease, coagulation disorders, infection at injection site, prior surgery at the same level, planned surgery at more than three levels, ASA class 4+, or those planned for total intravenous anesthesia are unlikely to benefit or are excluded.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce opioid and inhalational anesthetic use, improve pain control and hemodynamic stability, and support faster, safer recovery after lumbar disc surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Smaller randomized trials and case series in spine and other surgeries have suggested ESPB can reduce opioid use and pain, but high-quality randomized data specifically comparing timing in lumbar disc surgery are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Those over 18 and under 75 years of age,
* Those with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of I-II-III,
* Those with a body mass index (BMI) between 18-40 kg/m2
* Patients undergoing surgery with general anesthesia
* Patients undergoing LDH surgery (levels 1, 2, and 3)
* Patients with informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with severe cardiovascular system disease,
* Patients with coagulation disorders,
* Those allergic to the anesthetic and analgesic drugs to be administered,
* Patients with infection at the injection site,
* Patients with severe renal failure, gastrointestinal ulceration or severe asthma that prevents standard analgesia protocol
* Patients who have previously undergone LDH surgery at the same level,
* Patients who are planned to have surgery at more than 3 levels
* Patients with ASA 4 and above,
* Patients who are planned with total intravenous anasthesia(TIVA)

Where this trial is running

Ankara

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Erector Spina Plan BlockOpioid ConsumptionPostoperative PainLumbar disc herniation surgery.Erector spinae plane blockAnesthetic drug consumptionOpioid consumptionPerioperative hemodynamics
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.