Stellate-ganglion block as a treatment for severe postmenopausal flushing

ABSTRACTObjective Hormone replacement therapy is the most effective treatment for postmenopausal flushing. Unfortunately, its use is often contraindicated. A limited amount of uncontrolled data suggests that stellate-ganglion block (SGB) may be useful for the treatment of hot flushes. In the present study, we examined whether previously reported results could be reproduced in women with severe postmenopausal flushing.Methods Twenty postmenopausal women with a baseline hot flush score ≥ 15  were treated with SGB in an open, uncontrolled setting. This mean daily hot flush score was calculated as the product of flush frequency and flush severity over a period of 1 week. The response to treatment was evaluated by flush scores and assessment of quality of life at baseline and 4 weeks after SGB.Results The per-protocol analysis included 19 women. One woman was excluded because of lack of Horner syndrome after SGB. Four weeks after SGB, the mean flush score had decreased by 34 ± 7.4% (95% confidence interval (CI...