2023 Volume 30 Issue 1 Pages 5-8
We here report a patient whose longstanding refractory pain in the original anus was ameliorated by repeated subarachnoid phenol block (SAPB), improving his quality of life (QOL) and enabling transition from hospital to home care. After undergoing surgery for rectal cancer, a man in his 40s developed longstanding anal pain that was difficult to control with medication, this pain and adverse effects of drugs making home care difficult. Ganglion impar and caudal blocks, performed because of the likelihood of post-SABP dysuria, were ineffective. However, SAPB ameliorated the pain, enabling the patient to receive home care. His cancer subsequently progressed. Repeated SAPB (three times in total) on return of symptoms achieved pain control, allowing the patient to continue to receive home care until he died. Repeated SAPB contributed to improvement in this patient's QOL.
