J Korean Pain Soc.  1989 Nov;2(2):181-188.

Neurolytic Splanchnic Nerve Block for Treatment of Upper Abdominal Pain

• Yoon YJ
• Jin SH

Abstract

Neurolytic splanchnic nerve block is an effective method for the relief of pain of upper abdominal cancer. Nine cases of intractable upper abdominal cancer pain were treated by splanchnic nerve block with absolute alcohol (25 ml) at the pain clinic of Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University, during a 19 month period from March, 1988 to September, 1989. The group included six patients with stomach cancer, two patients with pancreatic cancer, and one patient with hepatobiliary cancer. We used fluoroscopy in all cases of alcohol spianchnic nerve block to determine both, the position of the needle tip, and the spread of the neurolytic solution. Of the 9 patients, 6 patients had excellent pain relief, and 3 patients who had combined upper abdominal and lower back pain had relieved upper abdominal pain only, but remaining lower back pain. Of the 9 patients', 5 patients had excellent pain relief through the patients remaining life (1-2 months) in which follow up was possible.

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain*
Ethanol
Fluoroscopy
Follow-Up Studies
Heart
Humans
Low Back Pain
Needles
Nerve Block
Pain Clinics
Pancreatic Neoplasms
Splanchnic Nerves*
Stomach Neoplasms
Ethanol