Superior Hypogastric Nerve Block (SHNB) for pain management in Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE): a literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE) is a therapeutic option in the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids; however, post-procedure pain imposes as a great challenge in this technique. In this context, the Superior Hypogastric Nerve Block (SHNB), already used in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain associated with malignancy, presents itself as an option for intraprocedural intervention, to improve patients’ recovery and to promote UAE in the clinical setting. Objective: to perform an integrative literature review about the effectiveness of SHNB in pain management after UAE. Methods: databases PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Lilacs and Medline were assessed using the combination of the terms "uterine artery embolization", "pain" and "superior hypogastric block". Clinical studies were included once available in full text, with adult patients submitted to UAE, whose objective was to evaluate the use of SHNB and its impact in post-procedure pain. Review articles, letters to the editor, and publication in conference proceedings were excluded. Results: 8 articles were found, most of them retrospective, indicated SHNB’s consistency in terms of short-term therapeutic success and pain reduction. The single reported complication evolved satisfactorily. Conclusions: SHNB has the potential to improve pain management after UAE, which can positively impact recovery time and quality, with reduced pain and consumption of opioids in the postoperative period. Benefits like these can enhance the embolization procedure as an alternative to be considered for the treatment of symptomatic fibroids for women candidates for uterine preservation.

Keywords

• leiomyoma
• anesthetics
• local
• pain
• gynecology
• radiology
• interventional