
pmid: 17987098
Background: Despite recent refinements in the technique of hypogastric plexus blockade, the lower pelvic organs and genitalia are innervated by fibers from the pre-sacral inferior hypogastric plexus and these fibers are not readily blocked using paravertebral or transdiscal approaches. Design: Report of a technique to introduce a transsacral approach to blockade of the inferior hypogastric plexus. Methods: A technique for performing inferior hypogastric plexus blockade by passing a spinal needle through the sacral foramen is described with 15 blocks in 11 patients. Results: Fifteen inferior hypogastric plexus blocks were performed on 11 female patients who presented with chronic pelvic pain. Pelvic pain was decreased following 11 of the procedures with pre- and post-pain scores (SD) of 7.4 (2.3) and 5.0 (2.7), respectively (P < 0.05). There were no complications or unusual occurrences. Conclusions: This block can be performed safely and effectively if the interventionalist has a high degree of familiarity with sacral anatomy, refined needle steering technique, and expertise in fluoroscopy. Properly performed, transsacral blockade of the inferior hypogastric plexus is a safe technique for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain conditions involving the lower pelvic viscera. Key words: Pelvic pain, chronic pain, inferior hypogastric plexus block, superior hypogastric plexus, transsacral approach.
Sacrum, Hypogastric Plexus, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Intractable Pain, Pelvic Pain, Injections, Viscera, Treatment Outcome, Needles, Fluoroscopy, Monitoring, Intraoperative, Chronic Disease, Medical Illustration, Humans, Female, Anesthetics, Local, Intraoperative Complications, Needlestick Injuries, Autonomic Nerve Block, Pain Measurement
Sacrum, Hypogastric Plexus, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Intractable Pain, Pelvic Pain, Injections, Viscera, Treatment Outcome, Needles, Fluoroscopy, Monitoring, Intraoperative, Chronic Disease, Medical Illustration, Humans, Female, Anesthetics, Local, Intraoperative Complications, Needlestick Injuries, Autonomic Nerve Block, Pain Measurement
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 41 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
