This will be a double blind prospective randomized control trial comparing liposomal bupivacaine with plain bupivacaine in their effectiveness in ESP blocks in lumbar spinal fusion surgery. Patients scheduled for a lumbar spinal fusion procedure will be identified at the time of the scheduled surgery. The endpoints of this study include:~The primary objective is to compare the amount of postoperative intravenous opioid consumption among two study groups for the first 72 hours: Patients undergoing posterior lumbar spinal fusion surgery (1-2 levels) under general anesthesia and ESP block with liposomal bupivacaine + 0.25% bupivacaine and patients undergoing posterior lumbar spinal fusion surgery (1-2 levels) under general anesthesia and ESP block with 0.25% bupivacaine~The secondary objectives include:~Compare the severity of pain at rest at specific timepoints postoperatively. Compare general quality of recovery via QoR-15 at 48 hours, 72 hours and then at routine follow up visits occurring 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks postoperatively.~Measure rate of postoperative nausea/vomiting in PACU. Measure time to ambulation. Compare analgesia satisfaction score at time of discharge. Measure hospital length of stay.
This study is to determine whether or not the addition of liposomal bupivacaine in an ESP block will have long term benefits for patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion surgery. Given previous studies found long term benefits from liposomal bupivacaine, the hypothesis is that patients will have decreased opioid usage and improved pain scores when compared to a standard ESP block with plain 0.25% bupivacaine.