Table 1. Reports of ESPB Following Thoracotomy or Sternotomy in the Pediatric Population.

Authors and reference	Study type and demographics	Treatment and outcomes
Kaushal et al, 2020 [5]	Prospective, randomized study. Study cohort of 80 children with acyanotic CHD for surgery with sternotomy and CPB.	Bilateral ESPB versus no block (control). Patients who received an ESPB had reduced MOPS, required significantly less, and had a prolonged time to postoperative fentanyl needs, and a lower postoperative sedation score. Ultrasound-guided bilateral ESPB was a reliable and effective postoperative analgesic modality for pediatric cardiac surgery through a midline sternotomy.
Macaire et al, 2020 [8]	Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Study cohort included 50 children following cardiac surgery with midline sternotomy.	Bilateral ESPB with 0.2% ropivacaine infusion versus saline infusion. Morphine requirements and intraoperative sufentanil were reduced in the ESPB group. Time to chest tube removal, first mobilization, pain scores (VAS) 2 h after chest tube removal, pain scores (VAS) at rest 1 month after surgery, and postoperative adverse events were decreased in the ESPB group. ESPB resulted in a decrease in intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption, optimized rapid patient mobilization, and chest tube removal after cardiac surgery.
Singh et al, 2022 [10]	Prospective randomized controlled trial. Study cohort included 40 children, 2 - 7 years of age, scheduled for right or left thoracotomy under general anesthesia.	TEA versus ESPB analgesia. Intraoperative fentanyl requirements were greater in the TEA group when compared to the ESPB group while postoperative fentanyl requirements were comparable. The median FLACC score was equivalent between both groups. Higher incidence of adverse effects with TEA. ESPB provided similar postoperative analgesia to TEA with a lower incidence of adverse effects in pediatric patients undergoing thoracotomy.

CHD: congenital heart disease; CPB: cardiopulmonary bypass; ESPB: erector spinae plane block; MOPS: modified objective pain score; VAS: visual analogue scale; TEA: thoracic epidural anesthesia; FLACC: Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability.