This procedure temporarily disrupts the nerves of the celiac plexus. These nerves branch away from your spine and connect to the organs in your abdomen. Pain signals caused by conditions such as pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer travel through these nerves on the way to your brain. A celiac plexus block can relieve your pain.
In preparation for the block, you are positioned face down on a table. You are given medication to make you feel relaxed. The skin on your back is numbed and the physician inserts a needle through your back and carefully pushes it to the celiac plexus nerves. The needle may be guided with and x-ray device called a fluoroscope. This provides video images. The physician may inject contrast dye to make sure the needle is placed correctly.
The physician injects anesthetic to numb your nerves. If your block is being performed as a test, this may be the end of your procedure. But if your block is being used to treat your pain for an extended period, the physician may inject a substance to disrupt these nerves. This may be repeated to treat the nerves on the other side of your spine.
