Ian Surdhar1, Tomislav Jelic2,3. 1. Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Boniface Hospital, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. 2. Department of Emergency Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, St. Boniface Hospital, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. tjelic@gmail.com. 3. Department of Emergency Medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine, S203 Medical Services Building, 750 Bannatyne Ave, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W2, Canada. tjelic@gmail.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Rib fractures represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in trauma patients. The erector spinae plane block has come to the forefront as a potential safe and effective option for analgesia in painful conditions of the thorax over multiple dermatomal levels. Given the high morbidity associated with rib fractures, the inadequacy of opioid analgesia and the strong safety profile of the erector spinae plane block, this pilot study sought to address whether this block can be used to safely and effectively provide analgesia in emergency department (ED) patients with acute rib fractures. METHODS: A total of nine patients underwent the procedure successfully. Patients were found to have a significant reduction in their pain score pre- and post-block. The reduction in mean pre- and post-block pain scores was 9.89 vs 3.56 which was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: In a pilot sampling of emergency department patients with acute fractures who failed traditional analgesic therapy, the erector spinae plane block performed by emergency physicians provided safe and effective pain control. Further research is needed to fully establish the clinical benefit and safety of this procedure.
OBJECTIVE: Rib fractures represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in trauma patients. The erector spinae plane block has come to the forefront as a potential safe and effective option for analgesia in painful conditions of the thorax over multiple dermatomal levels. Given the high morbidity associated with rib fractures, the inadequacy of opioid analgesia and the strong safety profile of the erector spinae plane block, this pilot study sought to address whether this block can be used to safely and effectively provide analgesia in emergency department (ED) patients with acute rib fractures. METHODS: A total of nine patients underwent the procedure successfully. Patients were found to have a significant reduction in their pain score pre- and post-block. The reduction in mean pre- and post-block pain scores was 9.89 vs 3.56 which was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: In a pilot sampling of emergency department patients with acute fractures who failed traditional analgesic therapy, the erector spinae plane block performed by emergency physicians provided safe and effective pain control. Further research is needed to fully establish the clinical benefit and safety of this procedure.
Authors: Josh Luftig; Daniel Mantuani; Andrew A Herring; Brittany Dixon; Eben Clattenburg; Arun Nagdev Journal: Am J Emerg Med Date: 2017-12-28 Impact factor: 2.469
Authors: Samuel Michael Galvagno; Charles E Smith; Albert J Varon; Erik A Hasenboehler; Shahnaz Sultan; Gregory Shaefer; Kathleen B To; Adam D Fox; Darrell E R Alley; Michael Ditillo; Bellal A Joseph; Bryce R H Robinson; Elliot R Haut Journal: J Trauma Acute Care Surg Date: 2016-11 Impact factor: 3.313