A patient with an abdominal malignancy underwent procedure for celiac plexus block. Which of the following can be the most common complication in this patient?
The most common complication of celiac plexus block is postural hypotension, from block of the visceral sympathetic innervation and resultant vasodilation. For this reason, patients should be adequately hydrated intravenously prior to this block. Other complications include, Accidental intravascular injection into the vena cava Accidental intra aoic injection Pneumothorax Retroperitoneal hemorrhage Injury to the kidneys or pancreas Sexual dysfunction Paraplegia (due to injury to the lumbar aery of Adamkiewicz) Increased gastrointestinal motility and diarrhea Back pain Ref: Butterwoh IV J.F., Mackey D.C., Wasnick J.D. (2013). Chapter 47. Chronic Pain Management. In J.F. Butterwoh IV, D.C. Mackey, J.D. Wasnick (Eds), Morgan & Mikhail's Clinical Anesthesiology, 5e.
Hypotension
Retroperitoneal hemorrhage
Pneumothorax
Intravascular injection