• Małgorzata Domagalska, Bahadir Ciftsi, Piotr Janusz, Tomasz Reysner, Jerzy Kolasinski, Katarzyna Wieczorowska-Tobis, and Grzegorz Kowalski.
• Chair and Department of Palliative Medicine, University of Medical Sciences, Os.Rusa 55, 61-245, Poznań, Poland. m.domagalska@icloud.com.
• Eur Spine J. 2023 Dec 1; 32 (12): 419241994192-4199.

PurposeNeutrophile-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are the inflammatory biomarkers of the stress response. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of erector spinae plane block (ESPB) on posterior lumbar decompression and stabilization by comparing NLR, PLR, postoperative pain, opioid consumption, and functional recovery between sham block and ESPB.MethodsThis was a prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial in a tertiary referral hospital. Sixty patients were randomized into two equal groups, each receiving either a sham block or ESPB. The primary outcome was the NLR and PLR 12 h and 24 h after lumbar posterior decompression and stabilization. The secondary outcomes were total opioid consumption and pain score 24 h postoperatively. Also, functional recovery determined by getting out of bed, verticalization, and walking by the balcony were reviewed as secondary outcomes.ResultsSignificant differences existed between the sham block and ESPB group in NLR (29.08 ± 12.29 vs. 16.97 ± 10.38; p < 0.0001) and PLR (556.77 ± 110.32 vs. 346.43 ± 117.34; p < 0.0001) 12 h after surgery. Also, there was a significant difference in NLR (p = 0.0466) and PLR (p < 0.0001) 24 h after surgery. In addition, there was a substantial difference in pain score, total opioid consumption, and functional recovery.ConclusionESPB performance during spinal surgery lowers NRL and PLR ratios 12 h and 24 h after surgery. In addition, ESPB provides better analgesia and improves functional recovery compared to sham block following posterior lumbar decompression and stabilization.© 2023. The Author(s).

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