At the beginning 1990s, rapid development of videooptic techniques made possible the introduction to the practice, modern method--thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy. This is a little invasive method use in chronic epigastric visceral pain therapy. The aim of the study is presentation of our own experiences in use thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy in therapy of chronic pain related with advanced stage pancreatic cancer.
Material and the methods: From 2001 to 2006 in the Department of Chest Surgery, Oncologic and General Surgery, University Hospital No. 2, Medical University of Lodz was made 26 thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy at patients with pancreas cancer. Patients were qualified to the operation on the basis of the Prince Henry Hospital Pain Scale (PHHPS)--medially 2.8 the point. In examined group were 16 men (61%) and 10 women (39%). The average age was 58 years.
Results: After the operation obtained the significant decrease of the pain intensity, in the third day after surgery patients ranked their epigastric pain at the average of 1.3 the point in PHHPS. All patients could to decrease significantly the doses of their analgesic medications and three from them completely put it away.
Conclusions: Thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy is effective little invasive method therapy of chronic pain related with advanced stage pancreatic cancer.