A novel technique for experimental stellate ganglion block in rats

A stellate ganglion block (SGB) is routinely performed in a clinical setting for the treatment of sympathetically maintained pain syndromes. However, the cardiovascular effects of SGB have not been well defined. The purpose of the present study was to develop a new technique of SGB in a rat model. Our new technique of SGB is a posterior percutaneous approach and uses the cartilaginous process of the C7 spinous process as a landmark. Twenty-six Sprague-Dawley female rats were divided into six groups. Group I (n = 4) underwent right sided SGB, Group II (n = 5) underwent left-sided SGB, and Group III (n = 5) underwent bilateral SGB using bupivacaine 0.25%. Three additional sham groups (n = 4 in each group) served as controls to each of the three treatment groups. Ipsilateral eyelid droop (ptosis) was observed in all animals that underwent SGB with bupivacaine. Heart rate decreased significantly for up to 45 min after bilateral SGB compared with control groups. However, this value did not change in rats after unilateral SGB. In 9 additional rats, we evaluated the accuracy of SGB by injecting methylene blue to stain the right (n = 3), left (n = 3), and bilateral SGB (n = 3). At autopsy, 11 of 12 SG were stained post-methylene blue injection. We conclude from our study that our new approach, posterior percutaneous SGB is a reliable technique that can be used for further studies.

We describe a new technique for stellate ganglion block in rats that may be used in future studies to investigate the role of cervical sympathetic nervous system (especially the stellate ganglion) in regulating sympathetically maintained pain and myocardial function.