Outcome of Percutaneous Ultrasound-guided Celiac Plexus Neurolysis for Managing Pain in Chronic Pancreatitis

Mohammad Ahad  Hossain; Md Mostafa  Kamal; Syed Ariful  Islam; Muhamad Shamsul  Arefin; Md Mazharul  Alam

doi:10.62848/bjpain.v4i1.2281

Authors

Mohammad Ahad Hossain Junior consultant, Department of Anaesthesia, Analgesia, Palliative and Intensive Care Medicine, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka. https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2204-6506
Md Mostafa Kamal Anaesthesiologist, Department of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4665-1904
Syed Ariful Islam Junior Consultant, Upazilla Health Complex, Brahmonbaria.
Muhamad Shamsul Arefin Junior Consultant, Department of Anaesthesia, National Institute of Neuro Sciences and Hospital, Dhaka.
Md Mazharul Alam Consultant, Bangladesh Korea Friendship Hospital, Dhaka

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62848/bjpain.v4i1.2281

Keywords:

Celiac plexus, Neurolysis, Chronic pancreatitis, Chronic pain, VAS

Abstract

Background: Chronic pancreatitis is a debilitating condition often accompanied by severe pain. Ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) has emerged as a potential technique for managing this pain. This study aims to evaluate the outcome of ultrasonography (USG) guided CPN in patients with chronic pancreatitis.
Methods: This prospective study was conducted from 2022 to 2023, including 10 patients diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis experiencing severe pain. All patients underwent USG-guided CPN. Pain relief was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before the procedure and at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months post-procedure. Complications were recorded in a data sheet.
Results: A significant reduction in VAS scores was observed at all follow-up points compared to baseline. At 1 week, the mean VAS score decreased from 8.5 ± 1.2 to 3.2 ± 1.5 (p<0.001). At 1 month, the mean VAS score further decreased to 2.8 ± 1.3 (p<0.001), and at 3 months, it was 3.5 ± 1.6 (p<0.001). Mild complications, such as transient hypotension and diarrhoea, were reported in a few cases and treated accordingly. No severe complications were observed.
Conclusion: USG-guided celiac plexus neurolysis is an effective technique for managing pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Further long-term studies are recommended to explore the durability of pain relief.