A case of an effective erector spinae plane block for early postoperative rehabilitation of an intensive care unit patient

Abstract

A man in his 70s underwent robot-assisted subtotal esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal cancer and was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU). He developed two gastrointestinal perforations during his stay in the ICU and underwent emergency surgery and daily intraperitoneal lavage with the abdominal midline wound open. On day 20 of the illness, enhanced rehabilitation was planned to prevent Post Intensive Care Syndrome and ICU-acquired weakness. However, this was not possible because of severe patient pain. An erector spinae plane block was administered; a single dose was remarkably effective, with improvement from 8 to 1 on the numerical rating scale for pain. Rehabilitation became possible, and the patient could walk in place. Regional anesthesia maybe necessary to enhance the analgesia in the ICU.