J Korean Pain Soc.  1995 Apr;8(1):60-64.

Minimal Volume of Local Anesthetic for Successful Stellate Ganglion Block

• Lee HK
• Chung SY
• Yang SK
• Lee HJ
• Suh YS
• Kim C

Abstract

Stellate ganglion block is a selective sympathetic blockade affecting the head and neck, and the upper extemity. It is an important method which has been used most frequently in neuropain clinic due to its wide range of indications. The authors attermpted to define the minimal volume of local anesthetic which need for successful stellate ganglion block by using 1% mepivacaine HCl mixed with dye. In 40 heathy volunteers, two different volumes, 3 ml in the group 1 (n=20) and 4ml in the group 2 (n=20), were injected by an anterior paratracheal technique at the sixth cervical vertebral level. We compared the degree in sympathetic blockade by clinical sings and symptoms and also checked the spread range of dye by plain X-ray. With seven criteria for an effective block, mean score was 5.7 in group 2, while 3.4 in group 1. These results suggest that 4 ml of local anesthetic are adequate for a successful stellate ganglion block.

Keyword

Stellate ganglion block; Volume of local anesthetics

MeSH Terms

Head
Mepivacaine
Neck
Stellate Ganglion*
Volunteers
Mepivacaine