Chronic Pancreatitis

Category: Abdominal Pain

Question

I am enquiring about surgical nerve block for chronic pancreatitis. Is that possible? Also what pain meds do you recommend as being the most succesful for that condition?

Doctors Response

The celiac plexus blocks do provide temporary relief. They may be performed with alcohol or phenol instead of local anesthetics, and that may provide longer relief. Other methods to block the celiac plexus (nerves to the pancreas) include radiofrequency neurotomy of the splanchnic nerves, laser ablation of the same, or ERCP guided celiac plexus blocks (by a gastroenterologist). There are many medications, mostly opioids which might help but more would need to be known about your other medications and medical condition to comment. A Pain Management specialist is the appropriate physician to see.