A special injection for severe stomach pain: Let's learn about Celiac Plexus Block!

Sometimes there is a pain in the stomach, it is unbearable. Even if you take ordinary painkillers, the pain does not decrease. Especially in cases like pancreatic cancer or pancreatitis, the pain in the stomach is very severe. Today we are talking about a special treatment method that doctors use to control the pain in such cases. This is called Celiac Plexus Block.

Simply put, what is Celiac Plexus Block?

This is actually a special injection that is given to relieve pain. To be precise, this injection is given to a bundle of nerves located in the upper part of our abdomen, behind the pancreas. We call this bundle of nerves the Celiac Plexus .

Imagine, pain signals from organs in our abdomen, such as the liver, pancreas, and stomach, are carried to the brain through this nervous system. If these nerves are compressed in some way, for example, by a cancerous tumor, then unbearable pain occurs.

The Celiac Plexus Block vaccine temporarily or permanently blocks the pain signals from reaching the brain. This greatly reduces the amount of pain we feel. This can be done with a single injection, or with several injections if necessary.

What are the uses of this treatment?

This treatment is mainly used for severe abdominal pain that is difficult to control with other painkillers.

Usually, doctors prescribe strong painkillers (oral pain medications) for such patients. But sometimes, taking those medications can cause side effects like vomiting, dizziness, and constipation . Also, sometimes those medications do not completely control the pain. In such cases, the Celiac Plexus Block is very useful.

How should I prepare before treatment?

Your doctor will give you a set of instructions before this treatment. It is very important to follow them.

• Stopping certain medications: If you are taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, you may be asked to stop taking them a few days before your treatment. But remember, never stop or change your medications without your doctor's approval.
• Avoid eating and drinking: You will be asked to stop eating and drinking for a few hours before the treatment. This is because you will be given a level of anesthesia during the treatment, so it is safer to have an empty stomach.
• Avoiding smoking: If you are a smoker, quitting before treatment can reduce the risk of unnecessary complications.
• Arrange for a driver: This is an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home the same day without staying in the hospital. However, since you will not be able to drive after the procedure, you will need to arrange for someone to drive you to and from the hospital.

What happens during treatment?

Some people may feel scared when they hear this, but once they know how it happens, that fear disappears.

1. First, you will be given a small amount of medicine (a `sedative`) into a vein to relax you. This will not make you completely unconscious, but you will be relaxed and drowsy.

2. Next, you will be turned onto your stomach on a table and placed in a comfortable position with a pillow under your hips.

3. The area where the injection will be given is thoroughly cleaned with an antiseptic solution.

4. Then, a small injection (local anesthetic) is given to numb the area. At this point, you may feel a small prick.

5. Now is the most important part. The doctor will insert a very fine needle into your abdomen and inject a special liquid (contrast dye). This liquid will be clearly visible on a scan such as an X-ray, CT scan, or endoscopic ultrasound. This will help you find the exact location of the nerve root where you want to inject the painkiller.

6. Once the correct location is found, an anesthetic or steroid is injected into the area.

7. Sometimes, for long-term relief, a chemical called alcohol or phenol is injected. This is called a neurolytic procedure . This permanently deactivates the nerve fibers that carry pain.

This entire process takes about 30 to 45 minutes, maximum about an hour.

What happens after treatment?

You may start to feel less pain within 30 minutes of the treatment. However, you will not be sent home immediately. You will be monitored for at least half an hour and only then will you be allowed to go home after it is confirmed that there are no problems.

You should avoid strenuous activities and exercise for the first 24 hours. You should be able to return to your normal activities within a day or two.

What are the benefits and risks of this treatment?

As with any medical treatment, there are benefits as well as very rare risks.

The likelihood of these serious side effects occurring is very low . Also, your doctor will thoroughly inform you of all these risks before treatment and will do this with your consent.

When should you see a doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms after you go home after treatment, you should notify your doctor immediately .

• Dizziness, fainting, excessive thirst (these may be signs of low blood pressure).
• Difficulty breathing.
• Signs of infection at the injection site, such as redness, swelling, pus, or fever.
• If you feel like your legs are going numb or losing sensation.

Pain is something that takes away the joy of life. Therefore, if you or someone you know is suffering from this type of severe pain, it is worth talking to your doctor about it and asking about treatments such as Celiac Plexus Block.

Celiac Plexus Block, abdominal pain, pain management, pancreas, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, nerve block, celiac plexus