Stellate ganglion block shows favorable trends in perioperative psychological symptoms and postoperative recovery quality in non-elderly patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty for osteonecrosis of the femoral head, but evidence is inconsistent and not robust to baseline adjustment.
In a randomized controlled trial of 94 non-elderly patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty for osteonecrosis of the femoral head, those receiving ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block with 4 mL of 0.8% lidocaine showed improved GAD-7 scores and higher QoR-15 scores compared to placebo. However, the GAD-7 effect was not confirmed after adjusting for baseline scores, and HADS depression/anxiety scores did not reach statistical significance.
This article is automatically generated from the structured evidence profile behind the claim above. Scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical advice.
Stellate ganglion block shows favorable trends in perioperative psychological symptoms and postoperative recovery quality in non-elderly patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty for osteonecrosis of the femoral head, but evidence is inconsistent and not robust to baseline adjustment. The current body of evidence comprises 1 study, including 1 randomized controlled trial. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 48/100 (low).
The Claim
Stellate ganglion block shows favorable trends in perioperative psychological symptoms and postoperative recovery quality in non-elderly patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty for osteonecrosis of the femoral head, but evidence is inconsistent and not robust to baseline adjustment.
This conclusion is most relevant to: Non-elderly patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty for osteonecrosis of the femoral head.
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Effect of stellate ganglion block on perioperative psychological symptoms and recovery after total hip arthroplasty for osteonecrosis of the femoral head in non-elderly patients: a randomized controlled trial. (BMC anesthesiology, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Stellate ganglion block inhibits sympathetic outflow to the head, neck, and upper limb
- ▸Reduced sympathetic activity may lower stress hormone release and modulate pain pathways
- ▸Decreased perioperative stress may improve psychological symptoms such as anxiety
- ▸Result: Favorable trends in anxiety scores and recovery quality, but inconsistent across scales
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Non-elderly patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty for osteonecrosis of the femoral head
Recommended Dose
4 mL of 0.8% lidocaine
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸GAD-7 effect was not robust to baseline adjustment, indicating potential confounding or insufficient power
- ▸HADS scores did not reach statistical significance, suggesting inconsistent psychological effects across measurement tools
- ▸Single-center design and relatively small sample size may limit generalizability
Frequently Asked Questions
What is stellate ganglion block?▼
Stellate ganglion block is a procedure where a local anesthetic is injected near the stellate ganglion in the neck to temporarily block sympathetic nerve activity, often used for pain management and certain autonomic conditions.
Did stellate ganglion block significantly reduce anxiety in this study?▼
The study found favorable trends in GAD-7 scores with SGB, but the effect was not statistically significant after adjusting for baseline anxiety scores, so the evidence is inconclusive.
What were the main outcomes measured?▼
The study measured anxiety (GAD-7, HADS), depression (HADS), pain intensity (VAS), sleep quality, postoperative recovery quality (QoR-15), and adverse events.
Is stellate ganglion block safe for this patient population?▼
The study reported no significant difference in adverse events (hypotension, dizziness, nausea/vomiting, nightmares) between the SGB and control groups, suggesting it was well-tolerated.
References
- 1.Fan X, Huang Z, Li X, Li J, Lin B, Zhang X. “Effect of stellate ganglion block on perioperative psychological symptoms and recovery after total hip arthroplasty for osteonecrosis of the femoral head in non-elderly patients: a randomized controlled trial..” BMC anesthesiology, 2026. PMID: 42464128 DOI: 10.1186/s12871-026-04097-z