Enhancing Postoperative Pain Management: Assessing the Influence of Ultrasound-Guided Stellate Ganglion Block on Arteriovenous Fistula Surgery.

INTRODUCTION

The effectiveness of stellate ganglion block in managing acute postoperative pain remains uncertain due to limited high-quality evidence. This study evaluates the impact of stellate ganglion block on acute pain following arteriovenous fistula surgery.

METHODS

A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in the Surgery Department of Bahonar and Shafa Hospitals at Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Patients undergoing arteriovenous fistula surgery were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which received an ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block with 5 mL of 5% lidocaine, or the control group, which received no intervention. A total of 60 patients were selected based on age and gender similarity. Pain levels were assessed using the visual analog scale immediately after surgery and at 6 and 12 h postoperatively.

FINDINGS: Pain scores differed significantly between the two groups at all time points (p ≤ 0.05). The intervention group reported lower pain levels at 6 and 12 h postoperatively compared to the control group. Repeated measures analysis confirmed a significant reduction in pain over time in both groups (p ≤ 0.05), with a more pronounced decrease in the intervention group (p ≤ 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative stellate ganglion block effectively reduces acute postoperative pain following arteriovenous fistula surgery. However, its effects beyond the 12-h postoperative period remain unknown. Further research is needed to evaluate its long-term impact.