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.