Ganglion Impar Blocks

A ganglion of impar block is safe and easy procedure used to treat visceral, pelvic, genital, perineal and anal pain. This injection is considered to be a type of sympathetic block that can be used in the treatment of sympathetically-mediated pain, pain secondary to malignancy, neuropathic pain and post-surgical pain.

Patients who will benefit from this blockade will frequently present with vague and poorly localized pain in the “seat” region, which is burning in character and frequently accompanied by sensations of urgency with urination and/or defecation.

Procedure

Ever since Plancarte et al. (1990) introduced and described their approach to performing the impar ganglion block via the horizontal approach through the anococcygeal ligament, researchers to date continue to introduce modified techniques that attempt to maximize the ease of performing this block, while maintaining patient safety and increasing the chance of maximal pain alleviation for their patients.

A successful ganglion impar block is marked by profound pain relief.

Local anesthetic is usually administered for diagnostic ganglion impar blocks or for patients with noncancer-related pain. For patients who have a documented response to the administration of local anesthetic onto the ganglion impar, a therapeutic block is performed with administration of the neurolytic agent like phenol. Radioablation of the ganglion impar is also another treatment modality for longer-lasting pain relief.

The procedure usually takes less than 15 minutes. Sometimes your physician will recommend intravenous sedation to make the procedure more comfortable. Your physician will monitor your pain and vital signs (pulse, blood pressure, temperature) after the procedure.