BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Phantom limb sensation is a phenomenon affecting patients submitted to amputation of any limb and this sensation may or may not be followed by pain. This report aimed at presenting a case where sympathetic nervous system block was used as adjuvant to control phantom limb pain. CASE REPORT: Patient with wrist epidermoid carcinoma, who evolved with phantom limb pain after left forearm amputation. Patient was submitted to conservative treatment and physical rehabilitation, however drug therapy analgesia was insufficient and patient evolved with pain in the amputation stump and sympathetic nervous system-mediated pain. Ultimately, patient was submitted to sympathetic venous block followed by diagnostic chest sympathetic chain block with significant pain decrease. CONCLUSION: Sympathetic nervous system block in this case was induced with venous lidocaine infusion, followed by chest sympathetic chain block as therapeutic option for phantom limb pain. This sequence has provided pain relief without adverse effects.
Neuropathic pain; Phantom pain; Sympathetic block; Sympathetic venous block
