A retrospective case series of patients who have undergone coeliac plexus blocks for the purpose of alleviating pain due to intra‐abdominal malignancy

Background Coeliac plexus block (CPB) is an interventional pain management option for patients with pancreatic or other upper abdominal malignancy. Aims To assess the safety, utilization, and outcomes of CPBs in the local context. Methods and Results We conducted a retrospective case series of all patients with cancer who underwent CPB at 4 Sydney teaching hospitals from March 2010 to February 2016. We recorded baseline demographic data, details of the injectate, procedural approach and survival, as well as pain scores and analgesic use at 4 time points of interest. Thirty‐nine procedures were performed during the study period. Twenty‐four were performed endoscopically, 14 were performed via a bilateral percutaneous posterior approach by Pain Specialists or Radiologists and 1 was performed intraoperatively by a Surgeon. Patients had experienced pain for a mean of 17 weeks prior to CPB. Prior to CPB, the mean pain score was 8.8 out of 10. The mean pain score was reduced at 48 hours, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks following CPB (P