The Celiac Plexus is a web of nerves that lies in the abdomen near the aorta. It is a relay station for the nerves that supply innervation to the abdominal contents from the lower esophagus to part of the colon. A Celiac Plexus block is a procedure in which a long acting local anesthetic is placed at the Celiac Plexus to block the transmission of pain from the abdomen. The celiac plexus block procedure is most frequently used in patients where other pain medications or other less invasive therapies are ineffective. Such pain may result from irritation, compression or entrapment of the nerve bundles due to tumor invasion, fibrosis, or chronic inflammation in such settings as chronic pancreatitis or Crohn's disease, among others. In particular, pain due to pancreatic cancer responds very well to celiac plexus blockade.

The Splanchnic Nerves are the connections from the spinal cord to the Celiac Plexus and can also be blocked with local anesthetic. The Splanchnic Nerves do not lie near the aorta, but rather closer to the side of the spine. As they are individual nerves and not a diffuse plexus, it is possible to lesion (therapeutically burn) these nerves with energy generated by Radiofrequency.

Celiac plexus block procedure involves the use of fluoroscopic x-ray imaging to allow for the precise placement of a needle used to administer a long acting analgesic block to manage your pain. Celiac plexus blocks typically provide temporary relief with less risk.  Longer pain relief can be obtained with a neurolytic agent. The celiac plexus block procedure takes less than 30 minutes.

Another option for abdominal pain control is spinal cord stimulation.

If you are interested in celiac plexus block as a form of pain management or treatment or would like further information, the pain management doctor of Park West Pain Management of Manhattan, New York and Staten Island, NY would be happy to see you for a consultation and help you learn about the treatment options available to you.