Intraoperative superior hypogastric plexus block for postoperative pain following gynecological laparotomies

Abstract

Background & Objectives: The superior hypogastric plexus block (SHPB) has been extensively used for treating pelvic cancer pain and chronic pelvic pain, but not as a modality of postoperative analgesia. Currently, postoperative analgesia following gynecological laparotomies is managed mainly by parenteral NSAIDS, opioids or by epidural block. We propose that the intraoperative superior hypogastric plexus block could be a safe and an effective method for managing postoperative pain in patientsundergoing gynecological laparotomies.
Methodology: It was a prospective randomized case control study. Sixty female patients of ages 18-60 y belonging to ASA grade 1 and 2 undergoing gynecological laparotomies were allocated equally into two groups, study and control group. Both groups received general anesthesia. At the end of surgery, the Study Group received. Postoperative pain was assessed with VAS score, patient’s vital parameters and amount of morphine consumed by patient controlled analgesia at 0, 2, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h.
Results: The VAS score for pain showed significant difference between Study Group and Control Group at 0 h (p = 0.033), 2 h (p < 0.0001), 6 h (p < 0.0001), 12 h (p < 0.0001) and 24 h (p = 0.003) but not at 48 h (p = 0.085). This showed that the block was more effective up to 24 h. There was significant difference of 33.6% (p < 0.0001) in morphine consumption between study (36.03 mg) and control (54.33 mg) groups.
Conclusions: We conclude that superior hypogastric plexus block is a simple, safe and effective without any major complications and has a short learning curve. It has a high success rate for majority of gynecological laparotomies.
Citation: Subramanian V, Aggarwal S, Kale S, Parthasarathy AH, Batra A. Intraoperative superior hypogastric plexus block for postoperative pain following gynecological laparotomies. Anaesth. pain & intensive care 2019;23(2):157-161