New technique for superior hypogastric plexus block.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The classical technique for blocking the superior hypogastric plexus (SHP) described by Plancarte sometimes renders the desired needle placement difficult. This article describes an alternative approach for blocking the SHP. METHODS: Three patients with pelvic pain from endometriosis underwent an anterior approach to block the SHP with fluoroscopic guidance. The ages of the patients ranged from 21 to 34 years, pain duration ranged from 2 to 4 years, and pain score on a visual analog scale of 0-10 ranged from 7 to 8. RESULTS: All patients had significant pain relief immediately after the block. The pain scores postblock ranged from 0 to 4/10. The duration of pain relief varied from 1 to 14 days. The contrast material localized at the L5 vertebral body in the posteroanterior and lateral views. CONCLUSION: We present a new approach to block the SHP with fluoroscopic guidance in patients with chronic benign pelvic pain.