title: Effects of stellate ganglion block on breast cancer-related lymphedema: comparison of various injectates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects of SGB in BCRL patients and the efficacy of corticosteroids in SGB.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single academic hospital, outpatient setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 32 patients with BCRL were recruited. Patients were divided randomly into 3 groups (Group A: 0.5% bupivacaine 5 mL, n = 12; Group B: 0.5% bupivacaine 4.5 mL + 20 mg of triamcinolone 0.5 mL, n = 10; and Group C: 0.5% bupivacaine 4 mL + 40 mg of triamcinolone 1 mL, n = 10). All patients received 3 consecutive SGBs, every 2 weeks. The primary outcomes were changes in forearm and upper arm circumference. Circumference was measured at baseline, 2 weeks (before the second injection), 4 weeks (before the third injection), and 8 weeks (one month follow-up after 3 consecutive SGBs). Moreover, subjective data were collected using EORTC C-30 at baseline and 8 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 3 consecutive SGBs, forearm and upper arm circumferences were decreased significantly from baseline in all groups (P < 0.05/3). The upper arm circumference of group C was reduced significantly more than that of group A (P < 0.05/3). The subjective data by EORTC-C30 at baseline and one month after 3 consecutive SGBs revealed no statistically significant difference.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Relatively few patients were enrolled. We did not compare SGB with any other BCRL treatment, such as complex decongestive therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that SGB may be an effective treatment for BCRL. Furthermore, it appears that corticosteroids could have an additive effect in SGB.
authors: Jae Hyeon
authors: JH
authors: Park
authors: Yu-Sun
authors: YS
authors: Min
authors: Seong Min
authors: SM
authors: Chun
authors: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea.
authors: Kwan Sik
authors: KS
authors: Seo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001132:Arm / Q000473:pathology*; D001340:Autonomic Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D013233:Stellate Ganglion; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014221:Triamcinolone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014221:Triamcinolone; D002045:Bupivacaine