Objective: The purpose of this study was to generate collated evidence on the efficacy of erector spinae plane block (ESPB) for pain control after hip surgeries.
Methods: All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published on the databases of PubMed, CENTRAL, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Open Gray up to 4 March 2023 and comparing ESPB with placebo for pain control after hip surgeries were eligible for inclusion.
Results: We included five RCTs. Meta-analysis showed that ESPB significantly reduced pain scores at 1 h (mean difference [MD]: -1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.69, -0.40; I2 = 35%; p = 0.01), 3 h (MD: -0.95; 95% CI: -1.86, -0.03; I2 = 78%; p = 0.04), and 6 h (MD: -0.94; 95% CI: -1.77, -0.10; I2 = 73%; p = 0.03). However, no difference was noted for 12 h (MD: -0.33; 95% CI: -2.20, 1.53; I2 = 97%; p = 0.73) and 24 h pain scores (MD: 0.05; 95% CI: -0.58, 0.68; I2 = 71%; p = 0.87); 24 h total opioid consumption was not significantly different with ESPB and placebo (MD: -9.26; 95% CI: -24.49, 5.98; I2 = 94%; p = 0.23).
Conclusion: Scarce evidence shows that ESPB may not provide adequate pain control after hip surgeries. No difference in 24-h pain scores and total opioid consumption was noted between ESPB and placebo. Further RCTs shall strengthen available evidence.
Keywords: Hip; anesthesia; arthroplasty; pain; regional nerve block.