What is an Abdominal Nerve Block?

 

An abdominal nerve block is a targeted injection used to diagnose and relieve chronic or severe pain arising from the abdomen. It involves injecting a local anaesthetic, sometimes combined with a corticosteroid, around specific nerves that supply sensation to the abdominal wall or internal organs. In selected patients, longer-lasting pain relief may be achieved using techniques such as radiofrequency treatment or neurolysis (intentional interruption of nerve function).

What conditions do we offer this for?

Abdominal Nerve Block

We offer abdominal nerve blocks for patients with:

 

Chronic abdominal pain

due to conditions such as abdominal wall entrapment syndrome or post-surgical pain

Pancreatic pain

(e.g. from chronic pancreatitis or cancer)

Visceral pain

from abdominal organs not responding to oral medication

Post-operative pain

after abdominal surgery, particularly when localised and persistent

Why is it done?

  • Targeted relief of abdominal or visceral pain.
  • Reduced reliance on strong pain-relieving medications, including opioids.
  • Improvements in quality of life, appetite, sleep and day-to-day functioning.
  • Support for recovery and rehabilitation following surgery or injury.
  • Effective pain relief as part of palliative care for patients with cancer.

What does the procedure involve?

  • You will be asked to lie on your back or side, depending on the target area being treated.

  • The skin will be cleaned and numbed with a local anaesthetic.

  • Using ultrasound guidance, the doctor will carefully position a needle close to the target nerve or nerve plexus.

  • A local anaesthetic, sometimes combined with a corticosteroid, will be injected to interrupt pain signals.

  • In selected patients, pulsed radiofrequency treatment may be used to provide longer-lasting pain relief.

  • The procedure usually takes 20–40 minutes, depending on the complexity of the treatment.

Benefits

  • Effective pain relief that can last for weeks to months
  • Reduction in the use of strong painkillers
  • Improved ability to eat, sleep, move, and engage in care or rehabilitation
  • Can significantly enhance quality of life in chronic or cancer-related pain

When to Seek Medical Attention

Please attend A&E or contact your doctor if you experience:

• Fever, chills, or signs of infection at the injection site
• Severe abdominal pain or persistent vomiting
• Dizziness or fainting
• New weakness or numbness in the legs
• Loss of bladder or bowel control

Aftercare Advice

You will be monitored for a short time and can usually go home the same day.
Avoid driving for 24 hours.
Rest for the remainder of the day, then resume normal activities gradually.
Some soreness, numbness, or change in bowel function may be noticed temporarily.
A follow-up plan will be discussed depending on your response to the block.

Very Common side effects

(may affect more than 1in 10 patients):
  • Pain or bruising at the injection site
  • Mild temporary abdominal numbness
  • Temporary increase in pain before improvement

Common side effects

(may affect up to 1in 10 patients):
  • Low blood pressure (especially with splanchnic or celiac plexus blocks)
  • Nausea or light-headedness

Uncommon side effects

(may affect up to 1in 100 patients):
  • Temporary diarrhoea or bloating
  • Weakness of abdominal wall muscles

 

 Rare side effects

(may affect up to 1 in 1,000 patients):
  • Nerve injury or persistent numbness
  • Bleeding, infection, or internal organ puncture
  • Allergic reaction to medication