Research Progress in Stellate Ganglion Block and Regulation of Autonomic Nervous Functions

Stellate ganglion (SG), also known as the cervical thoracic sympathetic ganglion, is formed by the fusion of the inferior cervical ganglion and the first thoracic ganglia. It is responsible for transmitting sympathetic innervation to the upper extremities, head, neck, and heart. Stellate ganglion block (SGB) involves the injection of local anesthetics on or around the surface of SG, which induces a broad autonomic nerve blocking effect in the area controlled by SG. As a nerve block technique, ultrasound-guided SGB can be used to regulate autonomic nervous functions and achieve therapeutic effects of the relevant diseases by interfering sympathetic nerve activities of SG. In this article, we summarized and reviewed the research and clinical applications of ultrasound-guided SGB in regulating autonomic nervous functions, focusing on publications from the past five years. Furthermore, we discussed the prospective development in applying SGB in the treatment of diseases associated with high-altitude environment.