Comparative Study between Ultrasound Guided Lateral and Anterior Approach for Stellate Ganglion Block

Background: This study evaluated the safety and complications between the ultrasound guided lateral and anterior approach to administrate the local anesthetic for stellate ganglion block. Methods: Sixty two patients scheduled for ultrasound guided stellate ganglion block randomized into two equal comparable groups. The first group) Group I (received stellate ganglion block through anterior approach while the second group (Group II (received stellate ganglion block through lateral approach. Evaluated variables included number of skin punctures, the time interval from initial skin puncture to local anesthetic injection and complications e.g. hoarseness, dysphagia and a foreign body sensation in the throat, upper extremity weakness, and hematoma formation. Results: The study groups were comparable as regards technical feasibility and safety. There was significance difference between the two groups in number of skin punctures ( p0.014) more punctures needed in Group I. There was no statistically difference between both groups in time from skin puncture to local anesthetic administration in the target. Complications were more in Group I. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the ultrasound guided lateral approach can be a potentially safer approach for SGB than anterior approach.