Background and Aims Chronic low back pain (CLBP) represents a major health problem, often insufficiently managed using medications and physical therapy. ESP block has shown promising results in the treatment of acute and chronic pain. Our aim was to reveal influence of ESP block on the treatment of moderate to severe CLBP

Methods We obtained data of 29 CLBP patients treated in our hospital during 2022, refractory to pharmacological and physical therapy, with average NRS pain > 6. All patients received standard medical therapy ( gabapentinoids +- SNRI + opioids). All patients received three ESP blocks (30-40ml of 0,25% levobupivacain +4mg of dexamethasone) at the L4 or L5 level during 10 days. Data collected were: demography, pain at NRS before intervention, 14 days, 1 and 3 months after the first ESP block and abolition or reduction of opioid therapy

Results Our study included 11 male and 18 female patients with mean age of 59,3 . Before the first ESP block average pain at NRS was 7.64 ± 0.95 and 14 days after the beginning was 5.54±1.82 ( p= 0.03). One month after the first block pain was 5.32 ± 1.71 (p=0.02) and three months after was 4.96

± 1.91 (p=0.001). For 11 patients ( 38%) we have obtained 50% reduction or complete abolition of opioid therapy.

Conclusions ESP block has shown a significant impact on average pain for CLBP patients in short and medium time period and potential influence on opioid therapy. This is a useful tool allowing easier daily functioning and physical rehabilitation

Ethics commettee approval