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Endosc Int Open 2015; 03(01): E56-E59
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1377919
Original article
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effectiveness and safety of serial endoscopic ultrasound–guided celiac plexus block for chronic pancreatitis

Michael S. L. Sey
1   Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
,
Leslie Schmaltz
2   Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
,
Mohammad A. Al-Haddad
2   Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
,
John M. DeWitt
2   Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
,
Cynthia S. J. Calley
3   Department of Biostatistics, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
,
Michelle Juan
2   Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
,
Femi Lasisi
2   Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
,
Stuart Sherman
2   Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
,
Lee McHenry
2   Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
,
Thomas F. Imperiale
2   Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
4   Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
5   Center of Innovation, Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
,
Julia K. LeBlanc
2   Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

submitted 21 March 2014

accepted after revision 15 July 2014

Publication Date:
24 October 2014 (online)

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Background and study aims: Endoscopic ultrasound – guided celiac plexus block (EUS-CPB) is an established treatment for pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP), but the effectiveness and safety of repeated procedures are unknown. Our objective is to report our experience of repeated EUS-CPB procedures within a single patient.

Patients and methods: A prospectively maintained EUS database was retrospectively analyzed to identify patients who had undergone more than one EUS-CPB procedure over a 17-year period. The main outcome measures included number of EUS-CPB procedures for each patient, self-reported pain relief, duration of pain relief, and procedure-related adverse events.

Results: A total of 248 patients underwent more than one EUS-CPB procedure and were included in our study. Patients with known or suspected CP (N = 248) underwent a mean (SD) of 3.1 (1.6) EUS-CPB procedures. In 76 % of the patients with CP, the median (range) duration of the response to the first EUS-CPB procedure was 10 (1 – 54) weeks. Lack of pain relief after the initial EUS-CPB was associated with failure of the next EUS-CPB (OR 0.17, 95 %CI 0.06 – 0.54). Older age at first EUS-CPB and pain relief after the first EUS-CPB were significantly associated with pain relief after subsequent blocks (P = 0.026 and P = 0.002, respectively). Adverse events included peri-procedural hypoxia (n = 2) and hypotension (n = 1) and post-procedural orthostasis (n = 2) and diarrhea (n = 4). No major adverse events occurred.

Conclusions: Repeated EUS-CPB procedures in a single patient appear to be safe. Response to the first EUS-CPB is associated with response to subsequent blocks.

 

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