Successful treatment of chronic pancreatitis pain with interpleural analgesia

Interpleural analgesia has recently been shown to be effective in the management of various chronic pain syndromes. We have used interpleural analgesia successfully in 11 patients with severe chronic pancreatitis of 24-38 months' duration. Daily injections of 30 ml of 0.5 per cent bupivacaine with epinephrine 5 mu.ml-1, were given through a percutaneously inserted pleural catheter over a five- to ten-day period. Patients have remained pain-free during follow up which ranges from 24 to 40 weeks. This method of providing analgesia for the patient suffering from the pain of chronic pancreatitis is simple, safe, effective and can be provided on an outpatient basis.