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Keywords
Dexamethasone
Erector Spinae Plane Block
Lumbar Fixation Surgery
Postoperative Pain
Opioid Consumption
Quality of Recovery.
Erector Spinae Plane Block
Lumbar Fixation Surgery
Postoperative Pain
Opioid Consumption
Quality of Recovery.
How to Cite
1.
Effect of Dexamethasone as an Adjunct to Ultrasound Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block on Postoperative Status Following Lumbar Fixation Surgery Under General Anaesthesia. Planet (Barisal) [Internet]. 2026 Jun. 19 [cited 2026 Oct. 19];9(04):116-22. Available from: https://bdjournals.org/planet/article/view/1284
Abstract
Background: Lumbar fixation surgery is commonly performed for spinal instability, fractures, and deformities. However, postoperative pain remains a major challenge, often resulting in increased opioid consumption and delayed recovery. Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) provides effective analgesia for spinal surgery, and the addition of dexamethasone may prolong its analgesic effect and reduce opioid requirements. This study assessed the impact of dexamethasone as an adjunct to ultrasound-guided ESPB on postoperative status following lumbar fixation surgery under general anaesthesia. Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study included 60 adult patients undergoing lumbar fixation surgery who were allocated into two groups. Group P received 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine with placebo, while Group D received 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine with dexamethasone for ESPB. Postoperative outcomes included pain intensity, time to first rescue analgesia, total opioid consumption, haemodynamic parameters, and Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) scores. Results: Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between the groups. Group D showed significantly lower heart rates and Numerical Rating Scale pain scores at the 12th and 14th postoperative hours (p<0.05). The mean time to first opioid requirement was significantly longer, and total opioid consumption within 24 hours was significantly lower in Group D than in Group P (p<0.05). QoR-15 scores were similar at 24 hours but significantly higher in Group D at 72 hours (p<0.05). Conclusion: Dexamethasone as an adjunct to ESPB improved postoperative analgesia, reduced opioid requirements, prolonged time to first rescue analgesia, and enhanced recovery following lumbar fixation surgery under general anaesthesia.
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