PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Medhat R. Wassef
TI  - Phantom Pain With Probable Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy: Efficacy of Fentanyl Infiltration of the Stellate Ganglion: Efficacy of Fentanyl Infiltration of the Stellate Ganglion
AID  - 10.1136/rapm-00115550-199722030-00017
DP  - 1997 May 01
TA  - Regional Anesthesia: The Journal of Neural Blockade in Obstetrics, Surgery, & Pain Control
PG  - 287--290
VI  - 22
IP  - 3
4099  - http://rapm.bmj.com/content/22/3/287.short
4100  - http://rapm.bmj.com/content/22/3/287.full
SO  - Reg Anesth Pain Med1997 May 01; 22
AB  - Background and Objectives The stellate ganglion can alleviate phantom pain of the upper extremity, possibly because of the presence in it of enkephalin receptors, as has been suggested by experimental and clinical reports. A case is reported in which fentanyl, instead of local anesthetic, was used for stellate ganglion block.Methods A 49-year-old man, with a left below-elbow amputation, presented with probable symptoms of reflex sympathetic dystrophy, pain and temperature changes at the stump, and phantom hand symptoms the English-language literature revealed no reports of the use of fentanyl infiltration of the stellate ganglion was performed for management of this condition.Results Significant alleviation of pain and sensation of warmth at the stump and in the phantom hand was achieved.Conclusions Fentanyl infiltration of the stellate ganglion proved to be successful in the management of the pain and temperature sensation changes in the stump and phantom upper extremity.