Celiac Plexus Block

A celiac plexus block is actually used for pain in the upper abdomen, including the liver. This block is utilized a lot for patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma or pain associated with that. We have found over the years that this is a very effective way to treat this pain. We can do it in one of two ways. One way is to use local anesthetic only, which is just simply a nerve block. But in terms of cancer patients where we are trying to find a way to alleviate their pain for a much longer duration, we can actually use alcohol, and this alcohol creates the same ablation that actually lasts for 6 to 8 months in time. So the patients will be able to eat and will be able to tolerate their pain much better during the course of this treatment.