Erector Spinae Plane Block in Hepatobiliary Surgery: a Meta-Analysis

This work evaluates the effect of the erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in hepatobiliary surgery. It is a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies. Four studies with 235 patients were found and included in the meta-analysis. Our analysis showed that the patients in the ESPB group consumed less opioids within 24 hours after hepatobiliary surgery compared with patients in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences in other outcomes: pain intensity at rest 2–3 hours after surgery and postoperative nausea and vomiting. ESPB helps to reduce opioid consumption within 24 hours after hepatobiliary surgery.