Clinical effect of nerve block on herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of nerve block in the treatment of acute herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia(PNH).Methods A total of 167 patients who were treated in our ward from March 2003 to October 2007 because of herpes zoster and PHN were enrolled in this study.The VAS score,sleeping disturbance,the degree of improvement and the complications were compared between patients treated either by single medication or medication plus nerve block agents.Results In all the 167 patients,85 suffered from acute herpes zoster and 82 PHN.In the acute herpes zoster group,VAS decreased(1.61±1.8)and 72% of the patients still felt moderate to serve pain after single medication.After the treatment by medication and nerve block however,VAS decreased(4.14±2.17)and sleeping improved in 63% patients.In PHN patients,VAS decreased(1.21±0.96)and 85% patients still felt moderate to serve pain after single medication,but the VAS score decreased(4.21±1.77)and sleeping improved in 55% of patients after medication plus nerve block treatment.No complication was found in these patients.Conclusion Nerve block has a promising efficacy in the treatment of either acute herpes zoster or PHN.