Abstract: Background: Cervicobrachial neuralgia is a very common symptom of patients attending orthopaedics OPD. There are multitude of causes and some of them are life threatening. These patients are usually treated by Tricyclic ante depressants and similar drugs. Stellate ganglion block is a proven technique for the management of sympathetic mediated pain as is the case with most of these cervicobrachial neuralgias
Materials & Methods: The study was done in Govt. TD Medical College, Alleppey, Kerala, India between a period of 2015 July and 2016 august for Adults with cervicobrachial neuralgia both acute and chronic evaluated clinically and radiologically to rule out malignancies and mechanical severe root compression. Total number of patients included in the study were 35 of which 10 were males and 25 were females. Three sessions of stellate block is performed in patients at biweekly intervals using 10ml 1% lignocaine with adrenaline. They were followed up at 1month 3 months 6 months and 1 year using VISUAL ANALOUGE SCALE.
Results: All petients were followed up for 1 year after 3 sessions of biweekly stellate block using blunted needle at 1 month 3 months 6 months and 1 year intervals. The outcomes were measured using Visual Analouge scale. At I year follow up 32 out of 35 patients had good results (VAS 0). 3 patients had fair results (VAS 1)
Conclusions: Among the options for the management of Cervicobrachial neuralgia stellate ganglion block is very effective and well documented method. When compared to stallate block, medical management using tricyclic antidepressants and similar drugs cause significant adverse reactions at therapeutic dosage. Stellate block using a blunted needle is a very safe method and nullifies the complications
