Stellate Ganglion Destruction With Alcohol Versus Thermal Ablation for Chronic Post-Mastectomy Pain: A Randomized...

Post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is a persistent post-surgical neuropathic pain. Stellate ganglion (SG) block is used for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of pain syndrome.

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of SG destruction with alcohol versus thermal ablation for PMPS management.

Randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt.

Female patients aged 20-65 years who underwent breast cancer surgery and suffered moderate to severe pain for more than 6 months were categorized equally into 2 groups. SG destruction was with ultrasound (US) guidance and C7 level confirmation by fluoroscopy either by alcohol injection in Group A or thermal ablation with a time of 60 seconds at 80ºC repeated twice in Group B. Follow-up was at 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks.

Visual analog scale (VAS) measurements after 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks were significantly lower than pre-procedure measurements in both groups (P value < 0.001). There was a significant reduction in VAS score after 4 and 8 weeks in Group A than in Group B (P value = 0.003 and 0.018). Oxycodone and pregabalin consumption after 4 and 8 weeks were significantly lower in Group A than in Group B. Physical health, mental health, and satisfaction scores were comparable. There were no significant complications in both groups.

The relatively small sample size and short follow-up period are limitations to our study.

US-guided SG destruction with alcohol was more effective than thermal radiofrequency for managing acute postoperative pain by decreasing pain score, oxycodone, and pregabalin consumption, which were consumed before the block.