Trial Information

The Optimal Oblique and Axial Angle of Fluoroscope for Superior Hypogastric Plexus Block

Superior hypogastric plexus block is a kind of sympathetic plexus block which are used to
control the pelvic pain caused by malignancy or other chronic condition. Classic posterior
approach for this procedure is inserting the block needle at L4 -5 level and proceed the
needle 45 degrees medially and 30 degrees caudally to reach the target of anterolateral
space of L5 - S1 intervertebral space. Waldman et al. introduced a different angle of 30
degrees medial and caudal with the same approach, while Stevens et al. recommended 15
degrees medial and 20 degrees caudal. As such, the recommended angle for this procedure is
different among references, and there is a need for suggesting a more accurate entry angle
for this procedure. Therefore, we are trying to evaluate the entry angle for superior
hypogastric plexus block by measuring these angle on the computed tomography image and apply
these angle to the real patients.