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Both oncological and benign chronic abdominal pain have a very high prevalence, being even higher in pancreatic and gastric oncological disease. This type of pain can be very disabling and difficult to treat. The Celiac Plexus Block (CPB) has been used as an alternative in multimodal treatment in cancer patients and in non-cancer related pain. We present the case of an 11-year-old boy, with no relevant history, presenting with 18-month epigastric abdominal pain is discussed, with an initial diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, confirmed by complementary test, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The pain was disabling, impacted the daily life of the patient and was refractory to treatment with conventional analgesia and weak opioids. In the follow-up MRI study, no signs suggestive of acute or chronic pancreatitis were found. The patient was referred to the Pain Unit for analgesic optimization and performance of a CPB as a therapeutic alternative. The procedure was performed under general anesthesia guided by computerized axial tomography (CT) using a posterior para-aortic approach, with administration of local anesthetic and steroids. The patient presented remission of pain that he still maintains. CPB is a technique that has shown its usefulness in the treatment of chronic abdominal pain in adults, however, in the pediatric population the strength of the evidence is lower in relation to the special considerations that must be taken into account. However, it is considered that CPB may be a resource in the treatment of refractory pain of non-oncological etiology in selected pediatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upper abdominal pain caused by chronic pancreatitis is one of the most debilitating symptoms caused by this disease; its treatment and approach is one of the most important aspects. Treatment of pancreatic pain follows the World Health Organization therapeutic scale, starting with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and progressing with adjuvants, and finally adding opioids. When pain management is insufficient despite the prescribed medication or adverse effects are intolerable, it is advisable to search for therapeutic alternatives and, within them, celiac plexus block may be indicated. Celiac plexus block with steroids and/or local anesthetics is the technique used to temporarily inhibit the plexus functions in patients with a benign disease such as chronic pancreatitis. This technique is highly effective with early pain relief, it is safe, and performed by expert anesthesiologists has a low complication rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]