Stellate block for trigeminal zoster.

Stellate ganglion block for relief of pain and prevention of ophthalmic complications in trigeminal herpes zoster has been advised for many years. In a series of 27 patients, control of pain was dramatic after local anesthetic block of the stellate ganglion. This report is presented to stimulate renewed interest in this old form of therapy. Because of the retrospective nature of this investigation, the lack of adequate numbers and the absence of controls, no conclusions on efficacy of treatment can be made. However, enough hope of success is presented to justify a controlled series in a large metropolitan area where adequate numbers of patients can be accumulated for a double-blind protocol.