Erector spinae plane block for pain control in patients with pancreatitis in the emergency department

Abstract

Nerve blocks are frequently used in emergency department for pain management in patients with fractures. Their utility in medical conditions with severe intactable pain is largely unknown. We report a series of seven patients with pancreatitis who presented with severe abdominal pain (defense and veteran pain rating scale > 7) and had no relief on regular analgesia. They were subjected to erector spinae plane block (ESPB), and reduction in pain score at different time intervals, side effects, and additional analgesic dose requirements were noted. The objective of this case series is to explore the utility of ESPB in patients with pancreatitis.

Keywords

• emergency department
• erector spinae plane block
• pancreatitis