Efficacy of Adding Lidocaine 10% to Phenol in Ultrasound Guided Superior Hypogastric Plexus Neurolysis in The Management of Pelvic Cancer Pain

Overview

The superior hypogastric plexus (SHP) is a complex nervous collection located at the lumbosacral region below the level of the aortic bifurcation at the level of the lower third of the fifth lumbar vertebral body and upper third of the first sacral vertebral body at the sacral promontory Neurolytic agents, such as alcohol and phenol have been used to ablate peripheral nerves to treat pain and spasticity . These agents were nonspecific for neuronal tissue and complications have been seen involving damage to surrounding soft tissue (skin, muscle, vascular) and pain on alcohol injection Lidocaine has been demonstrated to be neurotoxic in high concentrations at 10% and can be used as a neurolytic agent with no effect on motor function, muscle state, or surrounding tissue rather than other neurolytic.

Every Patient will be in supine Trendelenburg position, IV access in case of adverse events and for moderate sedation if needed (for patient comfort, sever anxiety or needle phobia, or history of vagal events). The procedure will be completed under aseptic precautions. The division of abdominal aorta into common iliac arteries will be identified by using longitudinal sonography (Lumify L12-4 Linear Array Transducer 12 to 4 MHz extended operating frequency range, 34mm footprint and aperture size, and scan depth of up to 12cm. Imaging modes include 2D, color Doppler, and M-mode), and the body of the fifth (5th) Lumbar vertebra will be identified by placing the transducer transversely. A skin wheal will be raised with subcutaneous infiltration with 2% lidocaine solution nearly 3-4 cm below the umbilicus. A 15-cm Long 22-G Chiba needle will be used with out of plane technique, and the needle will be advanced under USG-guidance to reach the anterior- most point of the fifth Lumber vertebral body avoiding the vascular structures. The needle will be withdrawn nearly 1-2 mm after hitting the vertebral body to avoid injecting the drug into the periosteum. After confirming a negative aspiration of blood, known amount of neurolytic agent according to the grouping will be injected for the neurolysis of superior hypogastric plexus. The uniform spread of the drug will be confirmed under real-time sonography. Vital Sign parameters will be recorded during and after the procedure, during which patients remained fully awake