Celiac Plexus Block

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What is a celiac plexus block?

Celiac plexus blocks are procedures of pain management by injecting medication that helps to relieve abdominal pain, mostly due to cancer or chronic pancreatitis. The celiac plexus is a bundle of nerves that surrounds the abdominal aorta. Blocking these nerves by injecting medicine will aid patient with relief in pain and give better quality of life.

How is a celiac plexus block done?

First, an intravenous medication is given to relax the patient and asked to lie on prone position on an x-ray table. The Interventional radiologist will numb an area of skin on back of patient with a local anesthetic. Then, guided by an x-ray, he or she will:

• Insert a thin needle into your back, next to spine, and inject anesthetic
• Insert a second needle on the other side of spine
• Inject dye to confirm that medication will go to the correct spot
• Inject pain medication, such as epinephrine, clonidine or steroid; alcohol or phenol also may be injected to destroy the nerves

Usually, the procedure takes less than 30 minutes, and patient can go home the same day.

Why (Indications)?

A celiac plexus block may be right for you if you have chronic abdominal pain — especially linked to abdominal cancers or pancreatitis — which does not respond to other pain medication. There’s a better chance of a block relieving your pain if you have the procedure earlier in your illness.

Why Not (Contraindication)?

• severe uncorrectable coagulopathy or thrombocytopenia.
• abdominal aortic aneurysm.
• eccentric origin of the celiac artery.
• inability to visualize local anatomy due to large overlying soft tissue mass.

What you are to do before procedure (Preparation)?

• Visit us in OPD for assessment of varicocele with ultrasound. Get lab investigation (*PT/INR, Serum Creatinine, Viral markers) done and book your appointment
• Get admission in day care on scheduled time and date with 4-6 Hours fasting
• If you are on blood thinner like Aspirin inform during appointment.
• One accompanying person
• Need to sign a consent form for procedure

Approx. Stay in hospital?

We have very fast and competent working team (Consultant, fellow, clinical assistant, technician and ward assistant) which provide you comfortable atmosphere and ease your nerves. Usual time of stay is around 1 day.

Complications:

The risk of complication from a celiac plexus block is very low. However, there could be bruising or soreness at the injection site. Serious complications, including infection, collapsed lung, nerve damage and bleeding, are uncommon.

Side effects can include:

• Low blood pressure
• Diarrhea

Resume to work?

You can resume your work after 2-3 days, if existing disease permits. Patient can continue their regular diet and medications immediately, but patient should do not drive or do any rigorous activity for 24 hours after the procedure.

Results?

How long the pain relief lasts is different for each person. For some, celiac plexus blocks can relieve pain for weeks. For others, the relief can last years. Many can return to their normal activities.The nerve block may last several days, but it may last longer with each repeat injection.