Comparison of lidocaine and ropivacaine stellate ganglion blockade in treating upper limb postherpetic neuralgia

To provide a basis for treating postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), we compared the efficacy of lidocaine and ropivacaine stellate ganglion block (SGB) in PHN treatment in the upper limbs.Data from 252 patients with upper-limb PHN were retrospectively analyzed. The lidocaine group (n = 118) was treated with oral pregabalin capsules 75 mg twice a day, tramadol hydrochloride sustained release tablets 100 mg twice a day, and amitriptyline 25 mg once at night combined with ultrasound-guided lidocaine SGB; the ropivacaine group (n = 134) was orally administered the same medicines combined with ultrasound-guided ropivacaine SGB. The visual analog scale (VAS), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and adverse reactions were compared between the groups before treatment and at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment.There were no significant differences between the lidocaine and ropivacaine groups in terms of sex, age, height, weight, and pain duration (P > .05). There was no significant difference between the groups in VAS and SAS scores before treatment (P > .05). At 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after ultrasound-guided SGB treatment, the VAS and SAS scores were significantly lower in the ropivacaine group than in the lidocaine group (P < .05). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of adverse reactions (P > .05).For ultrasound-guided SGB treatment of upper limb PHN, ropivacaine is superior to lidocaine. Ultrasound-guided ropivacaine SGB is safe and effective for the treatment of upper limb PHN.