| REVIEW ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2020 | Volume
: 6
| Issue : 1 | Page : 24-28 |
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Ganglion impar block and neurolysis for chronic pain: A review
Mayank Gupta1, Gautam Das2
1 Department of Anesthesia, ICU and Pain, Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
2 Department of Pain Medicine, Daradia-The Pain Clinic, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Correspondence Address:
Mayank Gupta
Department of Anesthesia, ICU and Pain, Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10046-0159
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Aim: This article aims to review the currently available evidence on the ganglion impar block (GIB) and neurolysis for management of chronic pain of malignant or nonmalignant etiology.
Introduction: Ganglion impar (GI) represents the fused termination of bilateral thoracolumbar sympathetic chains. It is a retroperitoneal structure, lying behind the rectum and ventral to the sacrococcygeal junction (SCJ) or coccyx. Ganglion impar provides sympathetic and nociceptive innervation to the perineum, coccyx, anus and distal urethra, rectum, vagina, and vulva. In this review, the indications, approaches, effectiveness and, complications of GIB are discussed based on the data from the current literature.
Results: We screened 18 full-text studies based on our search. Out of them, 2 were randomized controlled trials (1 each on GIB for chronic intractable coccydynia and phantom rectum pain), 15 were observational (prospective or retrospective) studies, and 1 was anatomic cadaveric study. These studies included were from 2004 to till date. Our review results inferred that (1) GIB appears to be a safe and effective technique for management of pain in patients with chronic coccydynia, chronic perineal and pelvic pain, not responding to the conservative measures; (2) both anatomic location of GI and technical feasibility favor the transcoccygeal approach (Co1–Co2) as the most suitable approach followed by the transsacrococcygeal approach.
Conclusion: Ganglion impar block improves pain and the quality of life in patients suffering from chronic intractable coccydynia, chronic perineal and pelvic pain of both malignant and nonmalignant etiology.
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