Clinical outcomes of combined ganglion impar block and caudal epidural steroid injection in chronic perineal pain: a retrospective study

Gözde Çelik; Fatemeh Farham; Çile Aktan; Nurten İnan

doi:10.47582/jompac.1867518

Clinical outcomes of combined ganglion impar block and caudal epidural steroid injection in chronic perineal pain: a retrospective study

Abstract

Aims: Chronic perineal pain is a complex and debilitating condition that often shows limited response to conservative treatment modalities. Ganglion impar block (GIB) and caudal epidural steroid injection (CESI) are established interventional techniques; however, clinical data on their combined use are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of performing GIB and CESI concurrently in patients with chronic perineal pain. Methods: This retrospective study included 43 patients who underwent combined GIB and CESI in a single session. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from medical records. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at baseline, 3 weeks, and 6 months after the procedure. Adverse events and the need for repeat interventions were also evaluated. Results: The study population consisted predominantly of female patients (81.4%), with a mean age of 41.79±14.10 years. Trauma was the most common pain etiology (62.8%). Median VAS scores decreased significantly from 8 [6–10] at baseline to 0 [0–8] at 3 weeks and to 2 [0–8] at 6 months (p<0.0001). Repeat procedures were required in 18.6% of patients. Procedure related adverse events were mild and transient, consisting mainly of paresthesia (7.0%) and peripheral edema (2.3%), with no major complications reported. Conclusion: Combined application of GIB and CESI appears to be a safe and effective interventional option for patients with chronic perineal pain, providing clinically meaningful pain relief in the short and mid-term.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This work did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Ethical Statement

This study was conducted by the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Malatya Turgut Ozal University Ethics Committee approval number (MTÜKAEK no: 2025/32, Application no: 2025000032-2).

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pain, Anaesthesiology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Gözde Çelik ^*
0000-0003-1841-6023
Türkiye

Fatemeh Farham
0000-0002-5120-309X
Iran

Çile Aktan
0000-0003-1740-8339
Türkiye

Nurten İnan
0000-0002-7925-0541
Türkiye

Publication Date

March 27, 2026

Submission Date

January 20, 2026

Acceptance Date

March 1, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1867518

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA52MX65FN

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Çelik, G., Farham, F., Aktan, Ç., & İnan, N. (2026). Clinical outcomes of combined ganglion impar block and caudal epidural steroid injection in chronic perineal pain: a retrospective study. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, 7(2), 323-329. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1867518

AMA

1.Çelik G, Farham F, Aktan Ç, İnan N. Clinical outcomes of combined ganglion impar block and caudal epidural steroid injection in chronic perineal pain: a retrospective study. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7(2):323-329. doi:10.47582/jompac.1867518

Chicago

Çelik, Gözde, Fatemeh Farham, Çile Aktan, and Nurten İnan. 2026. “Clinical Outcomes of Combined Ganglion Impar Block and Caudal Epidural Steroid Injection in Chronic Perineal Pain: A Retrospective Study”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 (2): 323-29. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1867518.

EndNote

Çelik G, Farham F, Aktan Ç, İnan N (March 1, 2026) Clinical outcomes of combined ganglion impar block and caudal epidural steroid injection in chronic perineal pain: a retrospective study. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 2 323–329.

IEEE

[1]G. Çelik, F. Farham, Ç. Aktan, and N. İnan, “Clinical outcomes of combined ganglion impar block and caudal epidural steroid injection in chronic perineal pain: a retrospective study”, J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 323–329, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.47582/jompac.1867518.

ISNAD

Çelik, Gözde - Farham, Fatemeh - Aktan, Çile - İnan, Nurten. “Clinical Outcomes of Combined Ganglion Impar Block and Caudal Epidural Steroid Injection in Chronic Perineal Pain: A Retrospective Study”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7/2 (March 1, 2026): 323-329. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1867518.

JAMA

1.Çelik G, Farham F, Aktan Ç, İnan N. Clinical outcomes of combined ganglion impar block and caudal epidural steroid injection in chronic perineal pain: a retrospective study. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7:323–329.

MLA

Çelik, Gözde, et al. “Clinical Outcomes of Combined Ganglion Impar Block and Caudal Epidural Steroid Injection in Chronic Perineal Pain: A Retrospective Study”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, vol. 7, no. 2, Mar. 2026, pp. 323-9, doi:10.47582/jompac.1867518.

Vancouver

1.Gözde Çelik, Fatemeh Farham, Çile Aktan, Nurten İnan. Clinical outcomes of combined ganglion impar block and caudal epidural steroid injection in chronic perineal pain: a retrospective study. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026 Mar. 1;7(2):323-9. doi:10.47582/jompac.1867518