Unilateral, Single Needle Approach Using an Epidural

The superior hypogastric plexus block (SHPB) is used for treating pelvic pain, especially in patients with gynecological malignancies. Various approaches to this procedure have been reported due to the anatomic obstacles of a high iliac crest or large transverse process of the 5 th lumbar vertebra. Here, we report a new technique of superior hypogastric plexus block using a unilateral single-needle approach to block the bilateral superior hypogastric plexus with a Tuohy needle and epidural catheter. We have confidence that this new technique can be another option in performing the SHPB when the conventional bilateral approach is difficult to perform. (Korean J Pain 2012; 25: 43-46) Key Words: catheter, hypogastric plexus, nerve block, pain. In patients with pelvic cancer pain, the pelvic pain is severe, which makes it difficult to treat, as well as lowering the quality of life of the patient. Administration of opioids orally or intravenously can reduce the pain, but can frequently cause systemic side effects, so pain control is not easy. In such cases, nerve blocks can minimize systemic