Southern surgical association articleComparative Efficacy of Bilateral Thoracoscopic Splanchnicectomy for Intractable Pain Secondary to Pancreatic Cancer vs Chronic Pancreatitis

BackgroundSplanchnicectomy has been evaluated for treatment of chronic pain in both pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis patients, although its efficacy has not been compared in these 2 patient populations. This study aimed to compare bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy in treatment of abdominal pain secondary with pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis.Study DesignA University of Louisville database was evaluated from July 1998 to March 2016 for patients undergoing bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy for intractable pain secondary to pancreatic cancer (n = 48) or chronic pancreatitis (n = 75). Patients were evaluated pre- and postoperatively with regard to abdominal pain and related symptoms, narcotic analgesic requirements, and hospital admissions. Narcotic use was quantified using the Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting system.ResultsAfter bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy, 28% of pancreatic cancer patients continued to experience abdominal pain compared with 57% of chronic pancreatitis patients. Daily narcotic dose decreased for 74% of pancreatic cancer compared with 32% of chronic pancreatitis patients (p < 0.001). Sixty-seven percent of pancreatic cancer patients discontinued pain medications completely compared with 14% of chronic pancreatitis patients (p < 0.001). Hospitalizations decreased significantly in both groups (p < 0.001; p = 0.001), although mean number of postoperative hospitalizations was lower for pancreatic cancer (0.5) compared with chronic pancreatitis patients (2.80) (p < 0.001). Mean follow-up was significantly shorter for pancreatic cancer patients than for chronic pancreatitis patients (8 months vs 32 months; p < 0.001).ConclusionsBilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy safely, effectively, and durably relieves abdominal pain in patients with both pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis. However, it is more effective in providing pain relief and preventing pain-related hospitalizations in patients with pancreatic cancer compared with those with chronic pancreatitis.