About this trial

The purpose of this study is to determine if the method for injecting local anesthesia affects patients' pain and opioid usage after surgery. The investigators will compare subcutaneous anesthesia, injections of anesthesia under the skin, to a method called erector spinae plane block (ESPB). An ESPB injection involves placing local anesthesia along the muscles and bones in the back, using a special type of x-ray called fluoroscopy for guidance. The Investigators will use patient reported outcomes (PROs) and track subjects' opioid usage to find out if there is a difference between ESPB and subcutaneous anesthesia. The investigators hypothesize that patients who get ESPB injections will use less opioids and report less pain after lumbar fusion surgery compared to patients who receive subcutaneous anesthesia injections.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

The individual has signed and dated a study specific informed consent form approved by the Institutional Review Board at UMMHC.

The individual is at least 18 years of age.

The individual is skeletally mature (over the age of 18).

The patient is scheduled for a one or two level lumbar spinal fusion.

Disqualifiers

Patients unable to consent for themselves.

Pregnant women.

Non-English speaking subjects.

Prisoners.

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Erector Spinae Plane Block
  • Subcutaneous Anesthesia

Treatment groups

66 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups

Locations

1
UMass Chan Medical School/UMass Memorial Medical Center01655, WorcesterMassachusetts, United States

Sponsors and collaborators

University of Massachusetts, Worcester

Lead sponsor