Procedure & Treatment Library

Stellate Ganglion Block

What is a Stellate Ganglion Block?

Prior to the Procedure

What Will Happen?

  1. You will be admitted to the day surgery by a nurse and you will be asked to change into a gown.
  2. The anaesthetist will speak with you and place a cannula (plastic needle) into a vein in your hand.
  3. In the procedure room, you will be assisted to position on the procedure table on your back.
  4. The anaesthetist may give you some sedation into your vein.
  5. Local anaesthetic will be injected into the side of your neck.
  6. After the injection, you will be taken to recovery where you will remain for approximately 1 hour.
  7. After 30 minutes, you will be given some water to sip. If you are unable to swallow the water you will need to stay in recovery until you complete a satisfactory sip test.
  8. You will remain in recovery for approximately one hour and allowed to go home with a carer shortly thereafter.
  9. Expect your eyelid and mouth on the side of your injection side to droop - This is called a “positive Horner’s sign”.
  10. You may also have some nasal congestion, a hoarse voice and you may develop a headache.
  11. These side effects are temporary.

Post Procedure

If you require further explanation of the procedure, please contact Hunter Pain Specialists nursing staff on (02) 4985 1800.

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