Anterior approach to celiac plexus block during interventional biliary procedures.

A fluoroscopically guided anterior approach to celiac plexus block was developed that can be performed on the supine patient during a percutaneous biliary procedure. Unlike posterior blocks, anterior blocks can be performed at any time during the procedure and thus can be reserved for the few patients whose pain does not respond to intravenously administered narcotics. Anterior blocks were performed 18 times in 14 patients; satisfactory visceral anesthesia was achieved in ten of the 18 procedures.