Bilateral endoscopic splanchnicectomy through a posterior thoracoscopic approach

Abstract

The technique of bilateral total splanchnicectomy performed through a posterior thoracoscopic approach is described. The advantages of this route include excellent visual exposure of the neural anatomy of the sympathetic and avoidance of single lung anaesthesia. The procedure was performed for the relief of intractable pain in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (n = 3) and patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis (n = 5). Persistent relief of pain until death was obtained in the patients with pancreatic cancer (2, 4, 6 months). In patients with chronic pancreatitis, the benefit to date has varied with the severity of the disease. In two patients with severe advanced disease and previous percutaneous blocks, the relief of pain lasted only 3 and 5 weeks and both patients required resection for renewed intractable pain. In three patients with minimal change disease, relief of pain has been good in the short term (maximum follow-up of 8 months). Bilateral thoracoscopic total splanchnicectomy merits further evaluation in patients with pancreatic pain. No complications including hypotension have been encountered.