Ultrasound-guided semispinalis obliquus plane block for posterior upper cervical spine surgery: Technical description and case series
Abstract
Posterior upper cervical spine surgeries are associated with significant postoperative pain due to extensive soft tissue and muscular dissection, leading to increased nociception transmitted via multi-segmental dorsal rami innervation. We describe the application of a novel ultrasound-guided cervical paraspinal interfascial plane [semispinalis obliquus plane (SOP)] block as a part of multimodal analgesia in ten patients undergoing occipitocervical or atlantoaxial procedures. All patients achieved adequate analgesia; 3 of 10 required minimal rescue fentanyl within the first 24 h, and no block-related complications were observed. The SOP block is a simple, safe, and potentially effective adjunct for perioperative multimodal analgesia in posterior upper cervical spine surgeries, warranting further evaluation.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Anesthesia and Pain Management
Cervical and Thoracic Myelopathy
Spine and Intervertebral Disc Pathology
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Indian Journal of Anaesthesia
- Publisher
- Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
- Volume
- 70
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 285–291
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN