Korean J Dermatol.  1997 Aug;35(4):620-626.

The Effect of Sympathetic Blocks in the Prevention of Postherpetic Neuralgia

• Koh WS
• Park SM
• Kim BS
• Shin DY

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Many investigators have advocated neural and especially regional sympathetic blockade for acute herpe. zoster pain. Some believe that nerve blocks not only relieve acute pain but also, if given early in the course of clinical disease, prevent progression to postherpetic neuralgia.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the preventive effect of sympathetic blockade on herpes zoster
METHODS
Fifteen patients with herpes zoster were treated with sympathetic blocks according to the severity of pain.
RESULTS
The total score of pain degree decreased from 3.4 to 1.1 with sympathetic blocks in 15 patients in 2 months. Sympathetic blocks prevented or relieved postherpetic neuralgia in more than 90% of patients treated within 2 weeks of the onset of the acute phase of the disease and in more than 85% of patients over 60.
CONCLUSION
Sympathetic blocks are effective in preventing postherpetic neuralgia if applied soon after the onset of the acute phase of herpes zoster.

Keyword

Posrherpetic neuralgia; Sympathetic blocks

MeSH Terms

Acute Pain
Herpes Zoster
Humans
Nerve Block
Neuralgia, Postherpetic*
Research Personnel