Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Robot Assisted Distal Pancreatectomy with Celiac Axis Resection (DP-CAR) for Pancreatic Cancer: Surgical Planning and Technique
Published on: August 14, 2021
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis using a reverse phase polymer
Keith L Obstein1, Fernanda P Martins, Gloria Fernández-Esparrach
1Gastroenterology Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
Aim:
To assess the feasibility of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) using a poloxamer.
Methods:
In this prospective evaluation, six Yorkshire pigs underwent EUS-guided CPN. Three received an injection of 10 mL of 0.25% Lidocaine plus methylene blue (group 1) and three received an injection of 10 mL of 0.25% Lidocaine plus blue colored poloxamer (PS137-25) (group 2). Necropsy was performed immediately after the animals were sacrificed. The abdominal and pelvic cavities were examined for the presence of methylene blue and the blue colored poloxamer.
Results:
EUS-guided CPN was successfully performed in all 6 pigs without immediate complication. Methylene blue was identified throughout the peritoneal and retroperitoneal cavity in group 1. The blue colored poloxamer was found in the retroperitoneal cavity immediately adjacent to the aorta, in the exact location of the celiac plexus in group 2.
Conclusion:
EUS-guided CPN using a reverse phase polymer in a non-survival porcine model was technically feasible. The presence of a poloxamer gel at the site of the celiac plexus at necropsy indicates a precise delivery of the neurolytic agent.
