The Korean Journal of Pain  2012;25(1):43-46

doi:10.3344/kjp.2012.25.1.43

Unilateral, Single Needle Approach Using an Epidural Catheter for Bilateral Superior Hypogastric Plexus Block.

Ji Seok BAIK 1 ; Eun Joo CHOI ; Pyung Bok LEE ; Francis Sahngun NAHM

Affiliations

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Keywords

catheter; hypogastric plexus; nerve block; pain

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

The superior hypogastric plexus block (SHPB) is used for treating pelvic pain, especially in patients with gynecological malignancies. Various approaches to this procedure have been reported due to the anatomic obstacles of a high iliac crest or large transverse process of the 5th lumbar vertebra. Here, we report a new technique of superior hypogastric plexus block using a unilateral single-needle approach to block the bilateral superior hypogastric plexus with a Tuohy needle and epidural catheter. We have confidence that this new technique can be another option in performing the SHPB when the conventional bilateral approach is difficult to perform.