Celiac ganglion block.

The percutaneus blockade of the celiac plexus is being performed nearly for a century. The aim of performing celiac plexus and splancnic nerve blocks was surgical anesthesia at the beginning. But because of the technical demands and variable results of celiac plexus and splanchnic nerve blocks as a surgical anesthetic, over time, these techniques were supplanted by spinal anesthesia and segmental blockade of the somatic paravertebral nerves. As celiac plexus and splanchnic nerve blocks were falling into disuse for surgical anesthesia, the clinical utility of these techniques was becoming apparent in the new specialty of pain management. Celiac plexus and splancnic nerve blocks are effective in relieving chronic abdominal pain, especially originating from the malignancies of the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, omentum, mesentery, and alimentary tract from the stomach to the transverse portion of the large colon. The relevant anatomy, indications, cotraindications, different application techniques and results of celiac blockade is reviewed in this paper.