A comparison of efficacy of 50% alcohol and methylprednisolone for coeliac plexus block in patients with chronic abdominal pain for pain management

Abstract

Background: Malignancy related/ chronic abdominal and pelvic pain, most of the times is debilitating and affects survival and quality of life. Several modalities of chronic pain management for upper abdominal cancers have been proposed. Coeliac plexus block is widely used for the chronic pancreatic pain management. Most commonly used drug for celiac plexus block is 100% alcohol. This study is comparison between two drugs used for celiac plexus block.Objectives: To compare the efficacy in view of duration and pain relief with Inj. Methylprednisolone 80mg versus alcohol 50% in coeliac plexus block in chronic abdominal pain management.Materials and Methods: A Retrospective study was conducted on 18patients (group A-9 and group B-9) with chronic abdominal pain who underwent coeliac plexus block for chronic pain management, in Yenepoya Medical College and Hospital from January 2016 to December 2018.Group-A: 50% alcohol as adjuvant with 1%lignocaineGroup B: 80mg Methylprednisolone, as adjuvant with 1% lignocaineComparison of pain scores (average) were done at the end of every month for 6 months using Numerical Rating score (NRS) as per the data collected.Results: Group A had lesser NRS scores when compared to Group B. The statistical analysis was carried out using Mann Whitney U test. The U value is 5. The critical value of U at p<0.05 is 5 and hence the result is significant with P value of <0.05.Conclusion: Alcohol 50% gives better longer pain relief over methyl prednisolone 80mg in coeliac plexus block in chronic pain management.