Causalgic pain relieved by prolonged procaine amide sympathetic blockade. Case report

Reversible sympathetic blocks diagnostically relieve causalgic pain. At times, repeated blocks may be therapeutic. Causalgic pain of the left hand was successfully treated in a nonsurgical candidate by a continuous infusion of local anesthetic (procaine) into the region of the stellate ganglion. This technique was performed without significant complication and gave relief from the causalgia for extended periods of time. It may provide an effective alternative to surgical sympathectomy in high-risk patients.