Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2026
Deep Neuromuscular Blockade Leads to a Larger Intraabdominal Volume During Laparoscopy
Published on: June 25, 2013
Celiac Plexus Blocks Prior to Median Arcuate Ligament Release Surgery: A Case Series
Behnum Habibi1, Vlad Suric2, Suzanna Shermon2
1Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA.
Background:
Median arcuate ligament release (MALR) surgery is the most common procedure used to treat median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS). Estimates of the success rate of this surgery range from 70-80%. Factors that affect the success of this procedure are not well understood.
Case Report:
Nine patients with abdominal pain and a vascular ultrasound study suggestive of MALS underwent a celiac plexus block. All 9 continued to surgery and experienced ≥ 50% pain reduction in the upper abdomen postoperatively. Eight of these 9 patients had a positive celiac plexus block. One of 9 patients with a negative prognostic block experienced ≥ 50% pain reduction in the upper abdomen after surgery.
Conclusions:
These data suggest that the accuracy of prognostic celiac plexus blocks in predicting successful MALR surgery is 89%. This can be compared to estimates of the success rate of surgery without prognostic blocks (70-80%).
