Question

Regarding celiac plexus block, all of the following are true except:

• A. Relieves pain from gastric malignancy
• B. Causes hypotension
• C. Can be used to provide anesthesia for intra-abdominal surgery
• D. Can be given only by the retrocrural (classic) approach

Hint:

There is more than one route to reach the celiac plexus.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Uses of celiac plexus block. The celiac plexus carries pain fibres from upper abdominal viscera. Blocking it relieves pain from gastric and pancreatic malignancy and can supplement anesthesia for intra-abdominal surgery, so options (a) and (c) are true.

Step 2: Effect on blood pressure. The block interrupts splanchnic sympathetic tone, causing splanchnic vasodilatation and pooling of blood, which commonly produces hypotension. Hence option (b) is also a true statement.

Step 3: Approaches available. A celiac plexus block can be performed by more than one technique: the retrocrural (classic) approach, the anterocrural approach, and a splanchnic nerve block. Therefore the claim that it can be given ONLY by the retrocrural approach is false.

Step 4: Conclusion. The incorrect statement is option (d).