Efficacy of ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block in relieving acute postoperative pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block (SGB) in alleviating postoperative pain remains unclear. This meta-analysis was performed to determine the efficacy of ultrasound-guided SGB in relieving acute postoperative pain in patients undergoing surgery with general anesthesia. METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis focused on randomized controlled trials comparing SGB with control or placebo. The primary outcome was the pain score at 24 hours after surgery. A random-effects model was used to calculate the mean difference (MD) or risk ratio with a confidence interval (CI) of 95%. RESULTS: Eight studies involving 470 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The results revealed that ultrasound-guided SGB was significantly associated with a lower pain score at 24 hours after surgery (MD = -0.74; 95% CI = -1.39, -0.08; I2 = 86%; low evidence) and at 8 hours after surgery (MD = -0.65; 95% CI = -1.03, -0.28; I2 = 29%; moderate evidence). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided SGB is effective in alleviating acute postoperative pain. However, considering the limited number of trials performed to date, more large-scale and high-quality randomized controlled trials are required to confirm these findings.

Stellate Ganglion Destruction With Alcohol Versus Thermal Ablation for Chronic Post-Mastectomy Pain: A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is a persistent post-surgical neuropathic pain. Stellate ganglion (SG) block is used for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of pain syndrome. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of SG destruction with alcohol versus thermal ablation for PMPS management. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind clinical trial. SETTING: National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt. METHODS: Female patients aged 20-65 years who underwent breast cancer surgery and suffered moderate to severe pain for more than 6 months were categorized equally into 2 groups. SG destruction was with ultrasound (US) guidance and C7 level confirmation by fluoroscopy either by alcohol injection in Group A or thermal ablation with a time of 60 seconds at 80ºC repeated twice in Group B. Follow-up was at 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Visual analog scale (VAS) measurements after 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks were significantly lower than pre-procedure measurements in both groups (P value < 0.001). There was a significant reduction in VAS score after 4 and 8 weeks in Group A than in Group B (P value = 0.003 and 0.018). Oxycodone and pregabalin consumption after 4 and 8 weeks were significantly lower in Group A than in Group B. Physical health, mental health, and satisfaction scores were comparable. There were no significant complications in both groups. LIMITATIONS: The relatively small sample size and short follow-up period are limitations to our study. CONCLUSION: US-guided SG destruction with alcohol was more effective than thermal radiofrequency for managing acute postoperative pain by decreasing pain score, oxycodone, and pregabalin consumption, which were consumed before the block.

Safety and Effectiveness of Stellate Ganglion Cryoablation in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

This was a retrospective, observational, descriptive study to evaluate the safety and 6-month effectiveness of percutaneous cryoablation of the stellate ganglion for the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Eight patients with CRPS diagnosed by Budapest criteria were treated with this procedure. CRPS symptom severity was assessed prior to the procedure and at 3-month intervals after the procedure using a novel CRPS scoring system-the Budapest score-created by the authors. The mean Budapest score prior to and 6 months (187 days, SD ± 43) after stellate ganglion cryoablation was 7.0 (SD ± 2.0) (n = 6) and 3.8 (SD ± 2.3) (n = 6), respectively, showing a decrease of 3.2 (SD ± 1.7) (n = 6; P = .006). There were no major adverse events due to the procedure, and there was only 1 minor adverse event. Stellate ganglion cryoablation is a feasible, safe, and minimally invasive procedure that may represent an efficacious adjunct treatment option for select patients with CRPS.

[Repeated stellate ganglion blockade for the treatment of ventricular tachycardia storm in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy: a new therapeutic option for patients with malignant arrhythmias].

Objectives: This study sought to describe our institutional experience of repeated percutaneous stellate ganglion blockade (R-SGB) as a treatment option for drug-refractory electrical storm in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM). Methods: This prospective observational study included 8 consecutive NICM patients who had drug-refractory electrical storm and underwent R-SGB between June 1, 2021 and January 31, 2022. Lidocaine (5 ml, 1%) was injected in the vicinity of the left stellate ganglion under the guidance of ultrasound, once per day for 7 days. Data including clinical characteristics, immediate and long-term outcomes, and procedure related complications were collected. Results: The mean age was (51.5±13.6) years. All patients were male. 5 patients were diagnosed as dilated cardiomyopathy, 2 patients as arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and 1 patient as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The left ventricular ejection fraction was 37.8%±6.6%. After the treatment of R-SGB, 6 (75%) patients were free of electrical storm. 24 hours Holter monitoring showed significant reduction in ventricular tachycardia (VT) episodes from 43.0 (13.3, 276.3) to 1.0 (0.3, 34.0) on the first day following R-SGB (P<0.05) and 0.5 (0.0, 19.3) after whole R-SGB process (P<0.05). There were no procedure-related major complications. The mean follow-up was (4.8±1.1) months, and the median time of recurrent VT was 2 months. Conclusion: Minimally invasive R-SGB is a safe and effective method to treat electrical storm in patients with NICM.

Left Stellate Ganglion Ablation Inhibits Ventricular Arrhythmias through Macrophage Regulation in Canines with Acute Ischemic Stroke.

AIMS: To investigate the potential mechanism of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) after acute ischemic stroke and explore the effects of left stellate gangling (LSG) ablation on VAs induced by stroke in canines. Materials and Methods: Twenty canines were randomly divided into the sham-operated group (n=6), AS group (n=7) and SGA group (n=7). Cerebral ischemic model was established in the AS group and the SGA group by right acute middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). LSG ablation was performed in the SGA group as soon as MCAO. After 3 days, atrial electrophysiology and neural activity were measured in vivo. The levels of norepinephrine (NE) in plasma and ventricle were detected by ELISA. The levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and NF-κB p65 in ventricle were detected by western blotting. The pro-inflammatory polarization of macrophages in ventricle was detected by immunofluorescence. Results: Higher ventricular tachycardia (VT) inducibility and lower ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) were observed in the AS group compared with those in the sham-operated group, associated with higher LSG activity and NE levels, increased number of M1 macrophages and secretion of inflammatory cytokines in ventricle (all P<0.001). Compared with the AS group, the SGA group had lower VT inducibility and higher VFT, combined with lower NE levels, and reduced number of M1 macrophages and secretion of inflammatory cytokines in ventricle (all P<0.001). Conclusion: LSG ablation could reduce VAs vulnerability after acute stroke by preventing the macrophages polarization and activation induced by sympathetic hyperactivity.

Emergent Phenol Injection of Bilateral Stellate Ganglion for Management of Refractory Malignant Ventricular Arrhythmias.

BACKGROUND Management of incessant electrical storm is poorly defined. These 2 case studies demonstrate a simplified percutaneous approach to achieve stellate ganglion ablation (SGA) and to promptly control malignant ventricular arrhythmias. CASE REPORT This report describes 2 patients with deteriorating hemodynamics, progressive ventricular arrhythmias, and worsening heart failure, managed with emergent percutaneous fluoroscopically-guided bilateral SGA to achieve bilateral cardiac sympathetic denervation. While supine and intubated, the left and then right stellate ganglion were identified guided by anatomic landmarks. Using a 22-guage, 3.5-inch spinal needle, contrast dye was injected with appropriate outline of the stellate ganglion at the uncinate process of the C6 vertebra. Bupivacaine 0.5% was injected, followed by phenol 6%. Successful SGA was confirmed by intentional Horner's syndrome with bilateral eye lag. The procedures were completed in about 30 min without complications and there was a dramatic reduction in ventricular arrhythmias. CONCLUSIONS Emergent percutaneous bilateral SGA can be accomplished with a brief procedure resulting in management of electrical storm.

Tonic-clonic seizure during the ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block because of an injection into an unrecognized variant vertebral artery: A case report.

RATIONALE: Recent years have witnessed a marked improvement in the safety and accuracy of nerve blocks with the help of ultrasound and other visualization technologies. This study reports a challenging case of a severe complication during the ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 28-year-old male patient with refractory migraine complained episodic pulsatile pain with photophobia, haphalgesia of the scalp for 3 years. INTERVENTIONS: Ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block with 4 ml of 1% lidocaine was administrated. OUTCOMES: A sudden loss of consciousness and tonic-clonic seizure was occurred after negative aspiration and test dose. Further sonographic examination revealed a variation in the left vertebral artery, which remained unrecognized during the needle insertion because of its sliding ability under the differential pressure applied by the probe. LESSONS: Inadvertent intra-arterial injection of a local anesthetic agent could be minimized under the ultrasound guidance with various protective strategies, including the determination of any prior variation, optimizing the block route, maintaining a constant probe pressure, and using saline for the test dosage. This case resulted in the implementation of new protocols of the ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block in our department.

Comparison Between the Effectiveness of Complex Decongestive Therapy and Stellate Ganglion Block in Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) of the upper extremities often follows breast cancer treatment. Although complex decongestive therapy (CDT) is currently the standard treatment for BCRL, stellate ganglion block (SGB) has also been reported to be effective. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of SGB in the treatment of BCRL, and to assess the impact of the treatment on the quality of life (QoL) compared to CDT. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. SETTING: A single academic hospital, outpatient setting. METHODS: A total of 38 patients with BCRL were recruited. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. Patients enrolled in the CDT group underwent 10 sessions of CDT for 2 weeks, whereas patients in the SGB group received 3 consecutive SGBs every 2 weeks. Changes in circumference, volume, and bioimpedance in the upper extremity were measured at baseline and 2 weeks after treatment and compared between the 2 groups. EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) and EuroQol visual analog scale (EQ VAS) for QoL and subjective improvement were monitored. RESULTS: In both groups, side-to-side difference of circumference after the treatment was decreased significantly from baseline (P < 0.05), and side-to-side difference of volume was reduced significantly in the SGB group (P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was noted in the treatment effect between the 2 groups. Results of the EQ-5D, EQ VAS, and questionnaires regarding subjective symptoms administered at baseline and 2 weeks after each intervention revealed no statistically significant difference in the treatment effects between CDT and SGB. LIMITATIONS: Further long-term follow-up studies with a greater number of patients that include analysis according to the severity and duration of symptoms are needed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that SGB is an effective treatment for BCRL and may be considered as an alternative to CDT. KEY WORDS: Stellate ganglion block, complex decongestive therapy, breast cancer, lymphedema, breast cancer-related lymphedema, quality of life, bioimpedance, secondary lymphedema.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic left cardiac sympathetic denervation for congenital long QT syndrome.

Left cardiac sympathetic denervation is an effective therapy for patients with congenital long QT syndrome resistant to beta-blocker therapy. In this video tutorial we describe a minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic technique for performing left cardiac sympathetic denervation.

Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy for Long QT Syndrome. Literature Review and Case Study.

BACKGROUND: Multiple case studies have suggested that video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy (VATS) reduces the occurrence and frequency of symptoms in long QT syndrome (LQTS) [1,2,3]. To date there has not been a literature review to report on the short-term and long-term outcomes of this procedure. Our primary aims are to review the literature findings on the clinical outcomes of VATS sympathectomy for long QT and present a local centre case report on the outcomes of T2-T5 sympathectomy. METHODS: Relevant articles were identified by a systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane and Scopus databases, from November 1985 to October 2015. A total of 520 patients from 21 publications were included for analysis and discussion in three main areas: presenting symptoms and indication for surgery, perioperative complications, and patient quality of life following surgery. Our case study reviews a 49-year-old female with recently diagnosed long QT syndrome and intolerance to beta blocker therapy successfully managed with T2-T5 thoracic sympathectomy. RESULTS: The most common presenting indication for operative management of long QT syndrome was syncope (208/520 patients) and tachyarrhythmia (207/520 patients). T1-T5 left sympathectomy was performed in 15/21 published reports (332/520 patients) with partial stellate removal or in its entirety. Follow-up of patients ranged from 1 month to 11 years. Four patients died in the postoperative period, from fatal arrhythmias. The most common postoperative findings were no symptoms (64/520 patients); tachyarrhythmia (55/520 patients), syncope (45/520 patients), and Horner's syndrome (13/520 patients with 27 patients reporting associated symptoms). Thirteen cases reported on the QTc changes post sympathectomy and 9/13 cases involving 220/520 patients showed marked QTc reduction following surgery. Mean preoperative QTc was 558ms and median 559ms. Mean postoperative QTc was 476ms and median 466ms. Our patient showed a marked reduction in QTc following surgery, with no evidence of arrhythmias and reduced beta blocker dependence. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical management of LQTS has historically involved a left cervicothoracic stellectomy removing stellate ganglia and typically part of the left thoracic sympathetic chain resulting in reduction in symptoms but increasing the risk of Horner's syndrome and intermittent temperature changes [4,5]. Surgical resection of the thoracic ganglia alone for management of LQTS is scarce in the literature. Short-term follow-up in our case study following a T2-T5 sympathectomy revealed reduction in symptoms, no requirement for beta blocker therapy and reduced QTc interval. Further follow-up using greater patient numbers will further support T2-T5 sympathectomy as an option for surgical management of LQTS.

Effects of Stellate Ganglion Cryoablation on Subcutaneous Nerve Activity and Atrial Tachyarrhythmias in a Canine Model of Pacing-Induced Heart Failure.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to test the hypothesis that subcutaneous nerve activity (SCNA) can adequately estimate the cardiac sympathetic tone and the effects of cryoablation of the stellate ganglion in dogs with pacing-induced heart failure (HF). BACKGROUND: Recording of SCNA is a new method to estimate sympathetic tone in dogs. HF is known to increase sympathetic tone and atrial arrhythmias. METHODS: Twelve dogs with pacing-induced HF were studied using implanted radiotransmitters to record the stellate ganglia nerve activity (SGNA), vagal nerve activity, and SCNA. Of these, 6 dogs (ablation group) underwent bilateral stellate ganglia cryoablation before the rapid ventricular pacing; the remaining 6 dogs (control group) had rapid ventricular pacing only. In both groups, SCNA was compared with SGNA and the occurrence of arrhythmias. RESULTS: SCNA invariably increased before the 360 identified atrial tachyarrhythmia episodes in the 6 control dogs before and after HF induction. SCNA and SGNA correlated in all dogs with an average correlation coefficient of 0.64 (95% confidence interval: 0.58 to 0.70). Cryoablation of bilateral stellate ganglia significantly reduced SCNA from 0.34 ± 0.033 µV to 0.25 ± 0.028 µV (p = 0.03) and eliminated all atrial tachyarrhythmias. CONCLUSIONS: SCNA can be used to estimate cardiac sympathetic tone in dogs with pacing-induced HF. Cryoablation of the stellate ganglia reduced SCNA and arrhythmia vulnerability.

Rationale and design of a prospective study to assess the effect of left cardiac sympathetic denervation in chronic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: The main causes of mortality in patients with chronic heart failure include sudden cardiac death (SCD) and progressive heart failure. Autonomic dysfunction plays a detrimental role in the progression of chronic heart failure. Left cardiac sympathetic denervation (LCSD) is an inexpensive and safe procedure which modifies autonomic innervation of the heart and is associated with a significant antifibrillatory effect. Whether LCSD reduces the risk of SCD, delays progression of heart failure and improves quality of life in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is not known. METHODS AND DESIGN: This is a 2-phased prospective, randomized trial to test the efficacy and safety of LCSD as an adjunct to guideline recommended medical therapy for patients with HFrEF. Once the safety and feasibility of conducting a large LCSD study have been demonstrated in the pilot phase, a phase III efficacy trial to assess the impact on ventricular arrhythmias, heart failure outcomes, and mortality will be completed. Outcome data from the pilot study will remain blinded and added to the results of phase III study for analysis. RESULTS: To date the study has received approval from local and national ethics and regulatory bodies and recruitment has commenced, and 4 patients have been randomized so far. CONCLUSION: If LCSD is proven to be safe, feasible and effective in this first ever study using this novel approach in patients with HFrEF it may be a cost-effective alternative to the implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy especially in regions where ICDs and cardiac transplantation are unavailable.

Anatomic Variation of Rami Communicantes in the Upper Thoracic Sympathetic Chain: A Human Cadaveric Study.

BACKGROUND: Hyperhidrosis is secondary to over activation of the sympathetic nervous system and surgical sympathectomy is the treatment of choice when other modalities have failed. This study investigated anatomic variation in the upper thoracic sympathetic chain and associated rami communicantes among cadaveric specimens. It considers the implications of these findings on surgical techniques to treat hyperhidrosis. METHODS: The upper 4 thoracic sympathetic ganglia, intercostal nerves, and connecting rami were dissected, measured and mapped in 40 sides of 20 adult human cadavers. Ganglia location was recorded. The incidence, orientation, and distance travelled by rami communicantes was compared across different ganglionic levels and between sides. RESULTS: The percentage of ganglia located below their associated intercostal space was 6.25% with stellate ganglions present in 70% of specimens and Kuntz fibers noted in 40%. There was a stepwise reduction in incidence of rami from superior to inferior placed ganglia. The number of rami identified across all levels was significantly greater on the right (P = 0.03). The horizontal distance between the sympathetic chain and union of the rami on the intercostal nerves was significantly greater on the right across all levels (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: There was substantial variation in the rami communicantes across the upper 4 ganglia and between right and left sides. Consideration of this variation should be given when planning surgical sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis particularly to avoid symptom recurrence.

[Stellate ganglion catheter retention with discontinuous block on efficacy and safety in the treatment of sudden deafness].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effect and safty evaluation of stellate ganglion catheter retention with discontinuous block on sudden deafness. METHOD: One hundred and twenty-six patiens with sudden monaural deafness were randomly divided into Catheterp and block and control groups with 42 cases in each group. All patients' throats were given conventional blood activating drugs, hormone and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. stellate ganglion puncture retained catheter were administrated to the patients in catheter group followed by ropivacaine block 1 times/day, block group stellate ganglion puncture and ropivacaine block 1 times/day. The patients in control group were only received routine comprehensive treatment. Patients in both catheter group and block groups were treated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy after the block treatment. Curative effects of three groups were observed. The patients' satisfaction, heart rate, the chages of blood pressure before and after the block, detachment of tubes, and adverse drug reaction were recorded. RESULT: The effect of the treatment in both catheter group, block group was better than in control group (85.7%, 37 cases); 83.3%, 35 cases) vs 64.3%, 27 cases, P < 0.05). The satisfactory rate in the patients in catheter group was significantly higher than block group (83.3%, 35 cases vs 61.9%, 26 cases, P < 0.05). The heart rate and the blood pressure before and 5 minutes after catheterization in catheter group and block groupwere changed obviously. Moreover, no adverse drug reaction and detachment of tubes were observed. CONCLUSION: It is a safe and effective administration of stellate ganglion catheter retention with interrupted ropivacaine block.

Granular cell tumor of the stellate ganglion presenting with Horner's syndrome.

We report a granular cell tumor (GCT) that occurred within the stellate ganglion of a 26-year-old woman who initially presented with a unilateral Horner's syndrome and progressive right upper extremity pain. We also review the literature related to the differential diagnoses of such a cervicothoracic tumor, with particular emphasis on the embryologic origin of these possibilities. GCT are rare tumors of Schwann cell origin which are more often found in subcutaneous locations than in relation to neural elements. In this woman, a mass identified on preoperative imaging was positioned anterolateral to the T1 vertebral body and displaced the vertebral artery anteriorly. During surgery, the lesion was observed within the sympathetic chain in the area of the stellate ganglion. The sympathetic chain was transected above and below the mass in order to achieve an adequate resection. The pathology demonstrated polygonal cells with diffuse eosinophilic granular cytoplasm positive for CD68 (a marker of lysosomes) and S-100 (a marker of neural crest derivatives) which established the diagnosis of GCT. This is the first patient, to our knowledge, with a granular cell tumor arising from the stellate ganglion.

Surgical cardiac denervation therapy for treatment of congenital ion channelopathies in pediatric patients: a contemporary, single institutional experience.

BACKGROUND: Congenital ion channel disorders, including congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS), cause significant morbidity in pediatric patients. When medication therapy does not control symptoms or arrhythmias, more invasive treatment strategies may be necessary. This study examines our institution's clinical experience with surgical cardiac denervation therapy for management of these arrhythmogenic disorders in children. METHODS: An institutional review board-approved retrospective review identified ten pediatric patients with congenital ion channelopathies who underwent surgical cardiac denervation therapy at a single institution between May 2011 and April 2014. Eight patients had a diagnosis of congenital LQTS, two patients were diagnosed with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT). All patients underwent sympathectomy and partial stellate ganglionectomy via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). RESULTS: Six of the ten patients had documented ventricular arrhythmias preoperatively, and 70% of the patients had preoperative syncope. The corrected QT interval decreased in 75% of patients with LQTS following sympathectomy. Postoperative arrhythmogenic symptoms were absent in 88% of congenital LQTS patients, but both patients with CPVT continued to have symptoms throughout the duration of follow-up. All patients were alive after a median follow-up period of 10 months. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical cardiac denervation therapy via VATS is a useful treatment strategy for congenital LQTS patients who fail medical management, and its potential benefit in the management of CPVT is unclear. A prospective comparison of the efficacy of surgical cardiac denervation therapy and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator use in congenital ion channelopathies is timely and crucial.