Sonographically guided coeliac plexus block.

A sonographically guided anterior approach to block the coeliac plexus with local anaesthetic was attempted on supine patients before hepatobiliary interventional procedures. A satisfactory block was achieved in 8/9 patients and the minor complication of transient hypotension was encountered in two which were managed conservatively. Comparison with controls showed the coeliac block patients to require significantly less intravenous sedation and analgesia to control pain during these procedures.