UNLABELLED: In inoperable malignancy, pain relief with opioids is often inadequate. Nerve block procedures may improve symptom control. Our aim was to assess celiac plexus block (CPB) and thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy (TS) in patients receiving appropriate medical management (MM). METHODS:Patients with confirmed irresectable malignancy of the pancreas or upper abdominal viscera who required opioid analgesia were randomized to MM alone, MM+CPB, or MM+TS. Randomization was stratified by treatment centre, tumour type and previous opioid medication. The primary endpoint was pain relief at 2 months. RESULTS:65 patients (58 pancreas cancer) were randomized, 18 withdrew or died within 2 months. Effective pain relief was achieved in only one third of subjects at 2 weeks, and just under half at 2 months (MM: 6/19 and 5/12 evaluable patients; CPB: 5/14 and 5/9; TS 4/14 and 4/11). There were no significant differences between the groups in pain scores or opioid consumption, and there was no correlation between continued use of opioids and effective pain relief. DISCUSSION: Previous randomized studies have shown small differences in pain scores, but no difference in opioid consumption and quality of life. The absence of any benefit from interventions in the present study questions their value. Copyright 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.
RCT Entities:
UNLABELLED: In inoperable malignancy, pain relief with opioids is often inadequate. Nerve block procedures may improve symptom control. Our aim was to assess celiac plexus block (CPB) and thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy (TS) in patients receiving appropriate medical management (MM). METHODS:Patients with confirmed irresectable malignancy of the pancreas or upper abdominal viscera who required opioid analgesia were randomized to MM alone, MM+CPB, or MM+TS. Randomization was stratified by treatment centre, tumour type and previous opioid medication. The primary endpoint was pain relief at 2 months. RESULTS: 65 patients (58 pancreas cancer) were randomized, 18 withdrew or died within 2 months. Effective pain relief was achieved in only one third of subjects at 2 weeks, and just under half at 2 months (MM: 6/19 and 5/12 evaluable patients; CPB: 5/14 and 5/9; TS 4/14 and 4/11). There were no significant differences between the groups in pain scores or opioid consumption, and there was no correlation between continued use of opioids and effective pain relief. DISCUSSION: Previous randomized studies have shown small differences in pain scores, but no difference in opioid consumption and quality of life. The absence of any benefit from interventions in the present study questions their value. Copyright 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Authors: Andrew L Coveler; Jonathan Mizrahi; Bory Eastman; Smith Jim Apisarnthanarax; Shalini Dalal; Terry McNearney; Shubham Pant Journal: Oncologist Date: 2021-05-12
Authors: Jacek Smigielski; Lukasz Piskorz; Marcin Wawrzycki; Leszek Kutwin; Piotr Misiak; Marian Brocki Journal: Wideochir Inne Tech Maloinwazyjne Date: 2011-09-30 Impact factor: 1.195