Mini-invasive methods of pain syndrome treatment in patients with pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis

Summary. Eighteen patients with pancreatic cancer and eight patients with chronic pancreatitis underwent a thoracoscopic sympathetic-splanchnicectomy for pancreatic pain syndrome. Six of patients with cancer were opiate dependent and unable to pursue normal daily life activities. We evaluated the near and long-term results of treatment. Level of pains was determined by Prince Henry Hospital Pain Scale, and the somatic status by a multifactorial estimation scale, developed by us (lower values correspond to better life quality). The data has been obtained for a base condition of the patient, the early postoperative period and 1.5 month after intervention. For patients with pancreatic cancer pain level form 3.4; 1.3 and 1.7 points accordingly, somatic status level was 17; 13 and 14.5 points. Patients with chronic pancreatitis has next pain intensity: 2.3; 1; 1.1 points, and 15; 10; 11 points for somatic status level accordingly. More than half of patients with pancreatic cancer could lower a dose of analgetics. Patients with chronic pancreatitis mostly do not feel pain in postoperative period.