Background and Aims Internal Jugular Vein Catheterization (IJVC) in oncology patients can be challenging, as most of these patients have undergone multiple painful procedures and fear of pain. This study aims to determine whether intermediate cervical plexus block (ICPB) is superior to conventional local anesthesia in terms of satisfaction of the patient for IJVC.

Methods 30 oncology patients, ASA III, were randomly divided into two groups. In Group A (n=18), ICPB with lidocaine 2% (5 ml) was administered to the patients, 5 minutes before the placement of the central venous catheter (CVC). In Group B (n=12), conventional local anesthesia with lidocaine 2% (5 ml) was administered at the site of the catheterization, 5 minutes before the placement of CVC. The procedure in both groups was ultrasound-guided. The duration, complications and VAS score of the procedure along with patient’s satisfaction of the procedure were recorded. Patient’s vital signs were recorded throughout the procedure.

Results No complications were reported in both Groups. The mean duration of the procedure was not statistically significant between the two groups. VAS scores and Satisfaction Scores were found to be statistically significant between the two groups.

Conclusions In this study, the performance of ICPB in oncology patients undergoing IJVC was found to provide superior analgesia and comfort to the patients when compared to conventional local anesthesia. To the authors’ concern there are no studies exploring the superiority of ICPB as a means of analgesia to patients undergoing IJVC. Certainly, more studies should be performed for further confirmation of these findings.