Pain therapy for pancreatic carcinoma with neurolytic celiac plexus block

The past year's experience of the Pain and Regional Anesthesia Service at Hartford Hospital with neurolytic celiac plexus blockade for pancreatic cancer has been reviewed. The series includes eight patients with intractable pain from pancreatic cancer as well as two patients with pain from other abdominal malignancies. Nearly all patients noted good to excellent analgesia for up to 11 months. The only complication noted was one episode of mild, transient hypotension. Neurolytic celiac plexus blockade is a safe and effective means to relieve the terminal pain associated with not only pancreatic cancer but also other abdominal malignancies.