[Thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy for control of epigastric pain of neoplastic origin]

One of the methods for control of epigastric splanchnic pain is thoracoscopic transsection of splanchnic nerves. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy on pain intensity in patients with unresectable epigastric malignancies.

From 2001 to March 2004 we performed thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy in 26 patients (17 males and 9 females) aged from 42 to 76 years. Indications for the procedure were as follows: unresectable pancreatic cancer (17 cases), gastric cancer (7 cases), gallbladder cancer (2 cases). In all patients the intensity of pain was evaluated before the operation, two days and one month postoperatively by Prince Henry Hospital Pain Scale (PHHPS).

26 patients were evaluated during their hospitalisation and 24 of them one month postoperatively. The intensity of pain measured by PHHS before the procedure was 2.77 points in average and 1.26 point and 1.5 point in average two days and one month postoperatively respectively. All patients demanded lower doses of analgesics after an operation.

Thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy is a safe and efficient method for control of pain caused by unresectable epigastric malignancies.