Stellate Ganglion Injection is an injection of local anesthetic in the "sympathetic nerve tissue" - the nerves which are a part of the Sympathetic Nervous System. The nerves are located on the either side of the voice box, in the neck.

A Stellate Ganglion Block is a short, minimally invasive procedure that can effectively treat a wide array of conditions that have failed optimal medical management. These include providing relief for sympathetic-related pain in face, chest, and upper extremities, improving circulation in upper extremities and face, decreasing perspiration in upper extremities and face, decreasing hot flashes and associated sleep disturbances, and showing promise as a novel treatment for PTSD.

The actual injection takes only a few minutes.

The injection consists of a local anesthetic (like lidocaine or bupivacaine). Epinephrine (adrenaline) may be added to prolong the effects of the injection.

The procedure involves inserting a needle through skin and deeper tissues (like a "tetanus shot"). So, there is some discomfort involved. However, we may numb the skin and deeper tissues with a local anesthetic using a very thin needle before inserting the actual block needle. Most of the patients also receive intravenous sedation and analgesia, which makes the procedure easy to tolerate.

It is done either with the patient laying flat or slightly sitting up. The chin is slightly raised. The patients are monitored with EKG, blood pressure cuff and blood oxygen-monitoring device. Temperature sensing probes are also placed on your thumbs or hands. The skin in the front of the neck, next to the "voice box" is cleaned with antiseptic solution and then the injection is carried out.

You should have a ride home. We advise the patients to take it easy for a day or so after the procedure. Perform the activities as tolerated by you. Some of the patients may go for immediate physical therapy.

The local anesthetic wears off in a few hours. However, the blockade of sympathetic nerves may last for many more hours. Usually, the duration of relief gets longer after each injection.

This procedure is safe. However, with any procedure there are risks, side effects, and possibility of complications. The most common side effect is pain- which is temporary. The other risk involves bleeding, infection, spinal block, epidural block, and injection into blood vessels and surrounding organs. Fortunately, the serious side effects and complications are uncommon.

If you are allergic to any of the medications to be injected, if you are on a blood thinning medication (e.g. Coumadin), or if you have an active infection going on near the injection site, you should not have the injection.