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Invasive Interventions
Nerve Blocks
Neurologic Interventions
Management of Procedural Pain
Less-invasive analgesic approaches should precede invasive palliative
approaches; however, for a minority of patients in whom behavioral, physical,
and drug therapy do not alleviate pain, invasive therapies are useful.
Nerve Blocks
Control of otherwise intractable pain can be achieved by the application of a
local anesthetic or neurolytic agent. Nerve blocks are performed for several
reasons:
-
Diagnostic: To determine the source of pain (e.g., somatic versus sympathetic pathways).
-
Therapeutic: To treat painful conditions that respond to nerve blocks (e.g., celiac block
for pain of pancreatic cancer).
-
Prognostic:
To predict the outcome of long-lasting interventions (e.g., infusions,
neurolysis, rhizotomy).
-
Preemptive: To prevent procedure-related pain.
A single injection of a nondestructive agent such as lidocaine or bupivacaine,
alone or in combination with an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid for a
longer-lasting effect, can provide local relief from nerve or root compression.
Placement of an infusion catheter at a sympathetic ganglion extends the
sympathetic blockade from hours to days or weeks. Destructive agents such as
ethanol or phenol can be used to effect neurolysis at sites identified by local
anesthesia as appropriate for permanent pain relief and may also be used to
cause destruction of central nervous system structures.
The efficacy of neurolytic sympathetic blocks may vary depending on the underlying pain mechanisms involved. For patients with multiple pain mechanisms, neurolytic sympathetic blocks may serve as adjuvant techniques to analgesic medications.[1]
Neurologic Interventions
Neurosurgery can be performed to implant devices to deliver drugs or to
electrically stimulate neural structures. Surgical ablation of pain pathways
should, like neurolytic blockade, be reserved for situations in which other
therapies are ineffective or poorly tolerated. In general, the choice of
neurosurgical procedure is based on location and type of pain (somatic,
visceral, deafferentation), the patient’s general condition and life
expectancy, and the expertise and follow-up available.
Management of Procedural Pain
Many diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are painful to patients. Treat
anticipated procedure-related pain prophylactically and integrate pharmacologic
and nonpharmacologic interventions in a complementary style.
Use local anesthetics and short-acting opioids to manage procedure-related
pain, allowing adequate time for the drug to achieve full therapeutic effect.
Anxiolytics and sedatives may be used to reduce anxiety or to produce sedation.
Cognitive-behavioral interventions, such as imagery or relaxation, are useful
in managing procedure-related pain and anxiety. (Refer to the Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions section of this summary for examples of relaxation
exercises.) Patients generally tolerate procedures better when they are
informed of what to expect.
Offer the option for a relative or friend to accompany the patient for support.
References
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Mercadante S, Fulfaro F, Casuccio A: Pain mechanisms involved and outcome in advanced cancer patients with possible indications for celiac plexus block and superior hypogastric plexus block. Tumori 88 (3): 243-5, 2002 May-Jun.
[PUBMED Abstract]
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