Control of Pain in the Cancer Patient by Subarachnoid Alcohol Block

Abstract

Subarachnoid alcohol block has given gratifying results in managing pain in selected patients with advanced cancer and appears to be a useful alternative to surgical division of pain pathways. Any skilled anesthesiologist or neurosurgeon can perform the procedure. In the series discussed here, almost 85 percent of patients treated with alcohol block had significant or partial pain relief. Only two of 322 patients had permanent complications.