Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) was first introduced in 2016 as a treatment technique for chronic thoracic neuropathic pain, and rapidly became popular in peri-operative medicine due to its relatively simple technique and low complication rate. It has been also used extensively in thoracic surgery. According to a systematic review, ESPB can be used effectively as part of multimodal analgesia in thoracic surgery since, when used, opioid consumption decreases.
The use of adjuvants has been studied to a limited extent in ESPB. Dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone have been tried as adjuvants in ESPB and it has been shown that dexmedetomidine is more effective in block prolongation and post-operative opioid consumption. According to our knowledge, morphine has not been used yet as an adjuvant for ESPB.
Therefore, the investigators will perform a randomized controlled trial in order to compare morphine and dexmedetomidine as adjuvants in ESPB in elective thoracotomies in terms of intraoperative and post-operative opioid consumption. Intraoperative opioid consumption will be guided by vital signs and Nociception-Level Index (NOL) and post-operative opioid consumption will be measured by the amount of morphine consumed by the patient during the first 48 hours post-operatively. Secondary outcomes will also be recorded.
