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Jaipur block in postherpetic neuralgia
Author(s) -
Bhargava Rishi,
Bhargava Sudha,
Haldia Kailash N.,
Bhargava Puneet
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-4362.1998.00392.x
Subject(s) - medicine , postherpetic neuralgia , anesthesia , neuralgia , pain relief , surgery , bupivacaine , dexamethasone , nerve block , neuropathic pain
Background Postherpetic neuralgia, a common sequele to herpes zoster infection, is a chronic debilitating problem. The available therapeutic modalities are usually ineffective. Methods A total of 3960 patients (1326 women and 2634 men; age group, 21–84 years), with postherpetic neuralgia as the presenting complaint and with pain lasting from 2 months to 5 years, were treated with Jaipur block, consisting of local subcutaneous infiltration of 2% xylocaine, 0.5% bupivacaine, and 4 mg/mL dexamethasone solution. Patients were followed up at six‐weekly intervals with subsequent injections given in non‐responders. Results Twenty eight per cent of patients obtained complete relief from pain after a single injection, another 57% after a second injection, and 11% after a third injection; 4% of patients did not respond to treatment. The non‐responders were either old (over 60 years) or had pain lasting for more than 2 years. The response to therapy was similar in both sexes. There were 31 left‐handed patients in this study. Pain was less severe in left‐handed patients and they obtained complete relief after a single injection. Side‐effects including giddiness and sweating were seen, occasionally, in a few patients. Conclusions Ninety six per cent of patients obtained complete relief after the block with a follow‐up of up to 19 years.