Comparison of Combined Spinal Epidural Analgesia and Erector Spinae Plane Block After Elective Cesarean Section

Postoperative pain after cesarean section can significantly affect maternal recovery, early mobilization, and patient satisfaction. Regional anesthesia techniques are widely used to improve postoperative analgesia and reduce opioid consumption. Combined spinal-epidural analgesia is commonly used for cesarean section and provides effective pain control but may be associated with technical difficulties and potential complications. The erector spinae plane block is a newer ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia technique that has shown promising results for postoperative pain management in various surgical procedures. The aim of this study is to compare the postoperative analgesic effectiveness of combined spinal-epidural analgesia and the erector spinae plane block in patients undergoing elective cesarean section. Pain intensity will be assessed using the visual analog scale at multiple postoperative time points. Maternal recovery will be evaluated using the Obstetric Quality of Recovery-11 questionnaire. Secondary outcomes will include postoperative nausea, pruritus, time to first analgesic request, mobilization time, and patient satisfaction. This study will help determine whether the erector spinae plane block can provide comparable or improved postoperative pain control with fewer complications compared to combined spinal-epidural analgesia.