Comparative evaluation of transsacrococcygeal and transcoccygeal approach of ganglion impar block for management of coccygodynia

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Coccygodynia or Coccydynia is pain in the area of coccyx and ganglion impar block is commonly used technique for treatment of coccygodynia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty patients of either sex in the age group of 20-70 years suffering from coccygodynia, who failed to respond to six weeks of conservative treatment were enrolled in the study. All patients were subjected to detailed clinical history, examination in the Pain Management Centre (Pain Clinic) of our Institute and imaging studies were reviewed. The patients were randomly divided into two groups of 20 each by a computer generated randomization number table: Group-TS (n = 20): Patients were administered ganglion Impar block by trans-sacrococcygeal approach Group-TC (n = 20): Patients were administered ganglion Impar block by trans-coccygeal approach with 8 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine plus 2 ml of 40mg/ml methylprednisolone acetate under fluoroscopic guidance. RESULTS: Both the techniques of ganglion Impar block were effective and provided good pain relief to the patients with coccygodynia. There was a statistically and clinically significant improvement in pain score after ganglion Impar block in both the groups at all time intervals during the study period. (p < 0.05). The mean pain score after ganglion Impar block was <2 at all time intervals throughout the three month study period in all patients in the two groups. All patients in both the groups had excellent satisfaction immediately after ganglion Impar block. Five patients each in both groups required second ganglion Impar block during the three months study period. CONCLUSION: Both trans-sacrococcygeal and trans-coccygeal approaches of ganglion Impar block with a combination of local anaesthetic and steroid are safe and effective for management of coccygodynia. Trans-coccygeal ganglion Impar block through the first intra-coccygeal joint is better in terms of improvement in pain score, functional disability, patient satisfaction and ease of administration.