title: Thoracoscopic left splanchnicectomy - role in pain control in unresectable pancreatic cancer. Initial experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The management of opiate-dependent intractable abdominal pain caused by unresectable pancreatic cancer remains challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of thoracoscopic unilateral left splanchnicectomy for pain control in a first series of 15 patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen patients suffering from intractable pain due to unresectable pancreatic cancer (stage III and IV)underwent thoracoscopic unilateral left splanchnicectomy. To assess pain severity and the impact of this palliative procedure for pain relief, all patients completed Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale with a preoperative pain degree between 7 and 9.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Surgical intervention duration varied from 30 minutes to 1 hour. Pleural drainage tube was removed 24 hours postoperatively.There were no complications nor deaths.Immediate pain relief (pain degree 0-2) was achieved in all patients after thoracoscopic unilateral splanchnicectomy, same level being registered at first check-up after one month.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thoracoscopic unilateral left splanchnicectomy decreases the pain substantially and significantly improves the quality of life in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Lică
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Jinescu
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Pavelescu
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Beuran
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017763:Autonomic Denervation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013153:Splanchnic Nerves / Q000601:surgery*; D013906:Thoracoscopy; D016896:Treatment Outcome