The use of coeliac plexus blockade in patients with chronic pain

Abstract

Over a four-year period from October 1984 to September 1988, a total of 101 coeliac plexus blocks were performed in this unit. Of these, 89 were in patients suffering intractable abdominal pain due to cancer, and 12 were in patients with pain secondary to benign disease processes. All were performed using X-ray screening and with intravenous sedation rather than general anaesthesia. Excellent or good pain relief was obtained in 80% of the patients with malignant disease, whilst 50% of patients with benign disease had good or complete relief of pain. The only serious complication encountered was a case of paraplegia - probably due to spinal cord ischaemia secondary to damage of the artery of Adamkiewicz.