Unadjusted and Propensity Score (PS) matched comparisons: complications and opioid-related side effects
| Unadjusted n=370 | PS-matched n=242 | |||||
| Non-ESPB | ESPB | P value*† | Non-ESPB | ESPB | P value*† | |
| Sample size (n) | 200 | 170 | 121 | 121 | ||
| Direct adverse event attributed to ESPB n (%) | – | 0 (0.0) | – | – | 0 (0.0) | – |
| Any opioid side effect, n (%) | 42 (21.0) | 38 (22.4) | 0.800 | 23 (19.0) | 26 (21.5) | 0.749 |
| CNS: Dizziness, confusion, disorientation | 2 (1.0) | 6 (3.5) | 0.150 | 1 (0.8) | 4 (3.3) | 0.370 |
| Constipation | 5 (2.5) | 2 (1.2) | 0.460 | 4 (3.3) | 1 (0.8) | 0.370 |
| Sedation | 1 (0.5) | 2 (1.2) | 0.596 | 1 (0.8) | 1 (0.8) | 1.000 |
| Postoperative naloxone | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1.000 | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1.000 |
| Postoperative antiemetic use | 167 (83.5) | 107 (62.9) | <0.001 | 97 (80.2) | 77 (63.6) | 0.006 |
Bold face type indicates significance at p<0.05.
*P value compares outcomes in non-ESPB versus ESPB in unadjusted and PS-matched groups.
†Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare continuous variables and Fisher’s exact tests for categorical variables.
CNS, central nervous system; ESPB, erector spinae plane block.