Advanced Rectal Cancer: Innovative Pain Management with Dual Nerve Blocks and a Unique Complication

Abstract Interventional pain management plays a pivotal role in addressing distressing symptoms, notably pain, in palliative care patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Ganglionic impar block and caudal epidural block have emerged as promising approaches for refractory pain relief. This case report discusses a 61-year-old female with locally advanced rectal cancer experiencing severe perianal pain, unresponsive to high-dose opioids. The patient underwent ganglion impar and caudal epidural block, resulting in a significant reduction in pain intensity. However, she developed transient confusion postprocedure, which resolved spontaneously within 2 h. This unusual complication underscores the importance of meticulous technique and patient monitoring in interventional pain management. While rare, transient neurological symptoms following such procedures necessitate understanding their potential etiologies and effective management strategies. This case highlights the efficacy of interventional pain management in rectal cancer-associated pain and emphasizes the need for continued research to optimize patient outcomes in cancer pain management.