
Research Interests
•Regional Anesthesia, Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Blocks, Postoperative Pain Management and Telemedicine-Assisted Analgesia.
Education Background
• Fellowship in Pain Medicine CHU Nimes Professor Eric Viel
• MD - French National Certificate in Anesthesiology and Intensive Care
• Anesthesiology and intensive care studies
Current Position
• Chairman, Anesthesiology and Pain Management Vinmec Healthcare System, VinMec International Hospital Hanoi
• Faculty, VinUni University College of Health Sciences
Professional Experience
• Chairman, Anesthesiology and Pain Management, Vinmec Healthcare System
• Faculty, VinUni University of Health Sciences
• Program Director, Anesthesiology and critical care residency
• Consultant, Anesthesiology and Interventional Pain, Rashid Governmental Hospital Dubai
• Medical director, Medical and Surgical ambulatory center, Dubai London Hospital
Bilateral erector spinae plane (ESP) block is a major advancement in perioperative analgesia for infants undergoing cardiac surgery. Its adoption has been driven by the search for effective, safe, and opioid-sparing pain control strategies in this vulnerable population, with mounting evidence underscoring its advantages—including the notable randomized study by Macaire et al. in the field. The ESP block provides excellent regional anesthesia by targeting the nerves of the thoracic region involved in median sternotomy, which is a frequent surgical approach in infant cardiac procedures. Clinical studies consistently report significant reductions in postoperative pain scores among infants who receive this block compared to those managed with systemic analgesics alone. A key benefit of bilateral ESP block is its opioid-sparing effect. By providing targeted regional analgesia, it allows for a considerable decrease in the need for intraoperative and postoperative opioids. Macaire et al.'s study demonstrated a substantial reduction in morphine consumption during the 48 hours following cardiac surgery in infants receiving bilateral ESP blocks with ropivacaine compared to those who received saline, confirming the block’s efficiency. The block extends the period before infants require rescue analgesics, reflecting both effectiveness and patient comfort. Infants benefit from prolonged periods of low pain with fewer interventions, which has meaningful implications for early postoperative recovery and parental satisfaction. ESP block is regarded as a safe technique, especially when performed under ultrasound guidance. Unlike epidural or paravertebral approaches, it minimizes risks of severe complications—which is particularly relevant in infants who are more susceptible to hemodynamic instability and bleeding risks associated with cardiac surgery. With lower pain scores and less opioid requirement, infants often achieve earlier extubation, reduced sedation, and shorter intensive care and hospital stays. Faster mobilization post-surgery and fewer narcotic-related adverse effects align with enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) strategies, which are being adopted to optimize outcomes in pediatric cardiac care. The study by Macaire et al. is a cornerstone in this field, demonstrating that bilateral ESP block is not only technically feasible in infants but also provides statistically significant improvements in pain management and opioid reduction after cardiac surgery. Further randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses corroborate these findings, stating that ESP blocks reduce the overall pain burden, facilitate smoother postoperative recovery, and can be safely incorporated into pediatric cardiac anesthesia protocols. In conclusion, the adoption of bilateral ESP block for perioperative analgesia in infants undergoing cardiac surgery is backed by highquality evidence, including the pivotal trial by Macaire et al., which highlights significant benefits in pain control, opioid reduction, safety profile, and overall perioperative management. The ESP block is thus a recommended and increasingly standard component in the anesthetic care of this population.
