New technique for superior hypogastric plexus block

Backqround and Objectives. The classical technique for blocking the superio r hypogastric plexus (SHP) described by Plancarte sometimes renders the des ired needle placement difficult. This article describes an alternative appr oach for blocking the SHP. Methods. Three patients with pelvic pain from en dometriosis underwent an anterior approach to block the SHP with fluoroscop ic guidance. The ages of the patients ranged from 21 to 34 years, pain dura tion ranged from 2 to 4 years, and pain score on a visual analog scale of 0 -10 ranged from 7 to 8. Results. All patients had significant pain relief i mmediately after the block. The pain scores postblock; ranged from 0 to 4/1 0. The duration of pain relief varied from 1 to 14 days. The contrast mater ial localized at the L5 vertebral body in the posteroanterior and lateral v iews. Conclusion. We present a new approach to block the SHP with fluorosco pic guidance in patients with chronic benign pelvic pain.