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. 2005 Aug 28;11(32):5010-4.
doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i32.5010.

Effect of NCPB and VSPL on pain and quality of life in chronic pancreatitis patients

Andrzej Basinski  1 , Tomasz Stefaniak, Ad Vingerhoets, Wojciech Makarewicz, Lukasz Kaska, Aleksander Stanek, Andrzej J Lachinski, Zbigniew Sledzinski
Affiliations

Effect of NCPB and VSPL on pain and quality of life in chronic pancreatitis patients

Andrzej Basinski et al. World J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Aim: To compare the effects of neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) and videothoracoscopic splanchnicectomy (VSPL) on pain and quality of life of chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients.

Methods: Forty-eight small duct CP patients were treated invasively with NCPB (n = 30) or VSPL (n = 18) in two non-randomized, prospective, case-controlled protocols due to chronic pain syndrome, and compared to a control group who were treated conservatively (n = 32). Visual analog scales were used to assess pain and opioid consumption rate was evaluated. In addition, the quality of life was measured using QLQ C-30 for NCPB and FACIT for VSPL. Although both questionnaires covered similar problems, they could not be compared directly one with another. Therefore, the studies were compared by meta-analysis methodology.

Results: Both procedures resulted in a significant positive effect on pain of CP patients. Opioids were withdrawn totally in 47.0% of NCPB and 36.4% of VSPL patients, and reduced in 53.0% and 45.4% of the respective patient groups. No reduction in opioid usage was observed in the control group. In addition, fatigue and emotional well-being showed improvements. Finally, NCPB demonstrated stronger positive effects on social support, which might possibly be attributed to earlier presentation of patients treated with NCPB.

Conclusion: Both invasive pain treatment methods are effective in CP patients with chronic pain.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Results of pain and quality of life assessment in CP patients and controls. A: VAS-Pain; B: Physical well-being; C: Emotional well-being; D:Social support; E: Fatigue; F: Ailments characteristic for the illness. aP<0.05 t-test vs NCPB or VSPL group and corresponding control; cP<0.05 vs paired ANOVA. Results are shown as mean±SD.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Effect of VSPL and NCPB on pain of CP patients and controls. Bars show mean effect from two measurements.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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