Singh S, Choudhary NK, Lalin D, et al. - Researchers assessed how 24-hour postoperative cumulative opioid needs could be impacted by ultrasound (US)-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) block, vs standard (opioid-based) analgesia, among lumbar spine surgery patients. They also focused on postoperative pain control and patient satisfaction. Participants were adults scheduled for elective lumbar spine surgery under general anesthesia. The participants were randomized to no preoperative ESP block (control group) or preoperative bilateral US-guided ESP block (ESP block group). During surgery, standard general anesthesia was administered in both groups. Findings showed that decreased postoperative opioid need and improved patient satisfaction were afforded by US-guided ESP block vs standard analgesia in lumbar spine surgery patients.