Continuous cervical epidural block: Treatment for intractable hiccups

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Anesthesiology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Intractable hiccups can lead to severe morbidity and mortality.
• The etiology and definitive treatment for intractable hiccups remain unknown.
• Previous medical and invasive treatments have often been unsuccessful.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of continuous cervical epidural block for treating intractable hiccups.
• To assess the safety and remission rates of this novel treatment approach.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 28 patients with intractable hiccups.
• Continuous cervical epidural block performed at C3-C5 level using ropivacaine.
• Catheter placement confirmed with contrast radiography; infusion adjusted based on symptom resolution.

Main Results:

• Complete remission rates of 60.71% after the first block, 92.86% after the second, and 100% after the third.
• One patient experienced transient dizziness; no other adverse effects reported.
• The procedure demonstrated a high success rate in resolving intractable hiccups.

Conclusions:

• Continuous cervical epidural block at the C3-C5 level is an effective treatment for intractable hiccups.
• This minimally invasive technique offers a high success rate with minimal adverse effects.
• Further research is warranted to establish this as a standard treatment protocol.