ESP nerve block versus wound infiltration for pain after laminectomy

ESP Block Versus Wound Infiltration for Laminectomy: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Not applicable Interventional University of Padova · NCT05271331

This trial will try whether an erector spinae plane (ESP) block or wound infiltration gives better pain relief and reduces opioid use for adults having a one- or two-level laminectomy.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment112 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Padova Academic / other
Locations1 site (Padova, Veneto)
Trial IDNCT05271331 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults scheduled for a one- or two-level laminectomy at the University Hospital of Padova will receive either an erector spinae plane (ESP) block or surgical wound infiltration, and within those groups patients will receive either a local anesthetic or saline placebo by the assigned technique. Pain scores, perioperative opioid consumption, time to mobilization, and adverse events will be recorded after surgery. The interventions compare locoregional techniques aimed at blocking dorsal spinal nerve branches to improve multimodal analgesia for vertebral surgery. The trial is conducted at a single academic center in Padova, Italy.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults scheduled for a one- or two-level surgical laminectomy who have no contraindication to local anesthetics and can undergo surgery at the University Hospital of Padova.

Not a fit: Patients with allergy to local anesthetics, active local infection, bleeding disorders, significant heart, liver, kidney or peripheral nerve disease, uncontrolled psychiatric or neurological disorders, recent substance or alcohol abuse, or ASA class greater than 3 may be excluded or unlikely to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could improve early postoperative pain control, reduce opioid use, and speed recovery after laminectomy.

How similar studies have performed: Previous case series and small randomized studies suggest ESP blocks can reduce postoperative pain and opioid use after spine surgery, but results are mixed and larger controlled trials are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

-Planned 1 or 2 level surgical laminectomy

Exclusion Criteria:

* Allergy to local anesthetics
* Refusal of consent
* Uncompensated cardiopathies, nephropathies, liver disease or peripheral neuropathies
* Hemopathies that predispose to bleeding
* Gastrointestinal ulcer or bleeding
* Local infection
* Psychiatric or neurological disorders (except those attributed to primary disease for which intervention is planned) History of abuse (or use in the 24 hours prior to surgery) Alcohol addiction ASA \> 3

Where this trial is running

Padova, Veneto

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 Pain, PostoperativeOpioid UseAnesthesia, LocalSurgeryESP blockLaminectomyWound infiltration
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.