Abstract
Purpose: To compare the efficacy of ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block (US-SGB) with that of landmark SGB, we studied changes in skin temperature of the face and palm after SGB. We also investigated a difference in efficacy between C6-SGB and C7-SGB among the US-SGB group. Methods: Twenty-eight patients who underwent SGB were assigned to either US-SGB 13 patients (52 implementations) or landmark SGB 15 patients (60 implementations). Further, the US-SGB group was classified as a subgroup of either the C6 group (patients who underwent SGB at the sixth cervical vertebra) or the C7 group. Results: The US-SGB group showed a more significant increase of skin temperature compared to the landmark SGB group. The difference between the C6 and C7 groups was insignificant. The US-SGB group has no adverse effects. The landmark SGB group has a case of chest numbness. Conclusion: It is suggested that US-SGB was a more effective and safer procedure than landmark SGB. From a study of the US group, C6-SGB is recommended because the vertebral artery damage can be avoided.
