Background and Aims This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the impact of Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block on opioid consumption within the first 48 hours postoperatively in patients undergoing open hepatectomy and its effects on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).

Methods PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the ESP block to IV analgesia for open hepatectomy in adults. We assessed incidence of PONV and opioid consumption in the postoperative period. Statistical analyses were performed using RevMan 5.4. Risk of bias was appraised using the RoB-2 tool. (PROSPERO – CRD42023415616).

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Abstract EP201 Figure 1

There was no difference in opioid consumption between groups

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Abstract EP201 Figure 2

The incidence of PONV did not show statistically significant differences between the ESP block and the control group

Results We analyzed 3 RCTs involving 150 patients, of whom 50% underwent ESP block. No significant differences were found in opioid consumption (figure 1) or incidence of PONV (figure 2) between the groups.

Conclusions According to the results of our meta-analysis, the performance of the ESP block in patients undergoing open hepatectomy does not result in a significant difference in opioid consumption during the initial 48 hours following the surgical procedure. This may be due to the high heterogeneity between the findings reported by the accessed RCTs. Additionally, there was no difference in the incidence of PONV. These results suggest that further studies with less heterogeneous protocols are needed.