Celiac Plexus Block
Celiac plexus blocks are injections of pain medication that help relieve abdominal pain, commonly due to cancer or chronic pancreatitis. The celiac plexus is a bundle of nerves that surrounds the aorta, the main artery into your abdomen.
The celiac/lumbar/hypogastric plexus and splanchnic nerves are groups of nerves that come together near the spine to supply the internal abdominal or pelvic organs. A block using local anesthetic can increase circulation and decrease pain. When circulation is increased, more oxygen and nourishment are brought to the area. The duration of pain relief from this local anesthetic can vary from 1-2 hours to many hours or sometimes even days. If your pain is relieved by this procedure, a series of blocks may be desired as an attempt to break the pain cycle.
Celia Plexus Block Procedure
The patient is placed on the procedure table on their stomach so the physician can best visualize the spine using x-ray guidance. The plexus or nerve being blocked is located in relation to the spine. The skin is scrubbed using antibacterial soap. Next, the physician numbs a small area of skin with numbing medicine. This medicine stings for several seconds. After the numbing medicine has been given time to be effective, the physician directs a very small needle using x-ray guidance near the target area for the block. Then, a large volume of numbing medicine (local anesthetic) is injected.
What happens after the procedure?
After the procedure, the patient is taken to the recovery room. Patients are then asked to report the percentage of pain relief. There may be some leg weakness, numbness, warmth in leg or legs, and back pain from needle insertion after the procedure. These effects are temporary, lasting only a few hours. Patients may return to their normal activities on the day of the procedure. Driving is discouraged on the day of the procedure.