CEACCP: Sympathetic blocks (Read) for Medical Doctors

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Key points

• The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) has a role in vascular, visceral, and neuropathic pain (NeP).
• A block of sympathetic ganglia can offer pain relief in sympathetically mediated pain.
• NeP is often multi-factorial and is not completely abolished by sympatholysis.
• Sympatholysis may be performed with local anaesthetics, neurolytics, neuroablative techniques such as radiofrequency lesioning, or with drugs such as guanethidine (i.v. regional techniques).
• There is no consensus about the optimum technique, interval between blocks, and duration of treatment.