Percutaneous ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis in advanced upper abdominal cancer pain

Abstract

Back groundThe alleviation of suffering in cancer patients is universally acknowledged as a cardinal goal of medical care. Celiac plexuses neurolysis is an effective technique in decreasing pain severity in patients suffering from upper abdominal cancer as it decreases analgesic requirements. ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) in controlling pain in patients with upper abdominal cancer pain. Materials & MethodsUltrasound-guided CPN was done for 21 adult patients suffering from upper abdominal cancer pain using ethanol (50%) as a neurolytic agent. Visual analog scale (VAS) score was used to assess the degree of pain relief immediately after injection at 1week, 1month and 3months post-neurolysis. ResultsMarked decrease of pain severity in all patients was noted as a sharp fall of the VAS score in the 1st day after CPN with relatively stationary course for 3months. Baseline VAS score was 9.1±0.85. One day after CPN, pain severity decreased markedly to 1.4±0.71. One week after CPN the decrease in pain severity was maintained at the same level 1.6±0.89. One month after CPN the decrease in pain severity maintained at the same level 2±0.79 .3months after CPN, pain severity decreased significantly to 2.3±1.02. ConclusionUltrasound-guided CPN is an effective method for reducing pain of upper abdominal cancer.