Radiofrequency and Neurolysis for the Treatment of Chronic Visceral Abdominal Pain

Radiofrequency Ablation of the Splanchnic Nerve and Superior Hypogastric Plexus for Chronic Abdominal Pain Status Post-Abdominal Surgery

“…Only after these nerve blocks proved to provide clinically significant pain relief and an improved quality of life, per the patient, we decided to perform an RFA of the same nerves. Similar to Shah and Gulati's study describing the successful treatment of chronic visceral abdominal pain with RFA and neurolysis, we were able to provide our patient with significant relief [1]. RFA of the splanchnic nerve was also used in the case reported by Kahan, where RFA of the splanchnic nerve was performed to treat cholangiocarcinoma pain [3].…”

“…Pancreatic and intestinal cancers are notorious for causing excruciating abdominal pain. The patients are often prescribed high-dose opioids because non-opioid medications do not provide sufficient relief [ 1 ]. With the failure of traditional systemic pain management approaches for symptomatic relief, the next step would be to aim closer to the root cause of the pain with the help of radiofrequency ablations (RFAs) [ 2 ].…”