Prospective evaluation of laparoscopic celiac plexus block in patients with unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma Journal Article


Authors: Allen, P. J.; Chou, J.; Janakos, M.; Strong, V. E.; Coit, D. G.; Brennan, M. F.
Article Title: Prospective evaluation of laparoscopic celiac plexus block in patients with unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Abstract: Introduction. The efficacy of laparoscopic celiac plexus block (CPB) in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer has not been reported. Methods. Patients with elevated pain scores scheduled for laparoscopy for diagnosis/staging of unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma were eligible. The study was designed to evaluate 20 consecutive patients with validated quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-PAN26) and validated pain assessment tools [Brief Pain Inventory (BPI)]. Questionnaires were obtained preoperatively, and postoperatively at 1, 4, and 8 weeks. Laparoscopic CPB was performed by bilateral injection of 20 cc 50% alcohol utilizing a recently described laparoscopic technique. Functional and symptom scoring was performed by EORTC scoring manual. Results. Median age was 61 years (range 42-80 years), and mean preoperative pain score [worst in 24 h on 0-10 visual analogue scale (VAS)] was 7.8 [standard deviation (SD) 1.6]. Median total operative time (laparoscopy + biopsy + CBP) was 57 min (range 29-92 min), and all patients except one were discharged on day of surgery. No major complications occurred. EORTC functional scales did not change significantly during the postoperative period. EORTC symptomatic pain scores decreased significantly. These findings were also observed in the BPI, with significant decreases in visual analogue score for reported mean (preoperative versus week 4, mean: 5.7 versus 2.7; p<0.01) and worst (preoperative versus week 4, mean: 7.8 versus 5.1; p<0.01) pain during a 24-h period. Conclusions. This study documents the efficacy of laparoscopic CPB. The procedure was associated with minimal morbidity, brief operative times, outpatient management, and reduction in pain scores similar to that reported with other approaches to celiac neurolysis. © Society of Surgical Oncology 2010.
Keywords: adult; clinical article; aged; postoperative period; outcome assessment; laparoscopy; prospective study; tumor biopsy; questionnaire; disease severity; preoperative period; operation duration; scoring system; pancreas adenocarcinoma; pain assessment; visual analog scale; nerve block; brief pain inventory; celiac plexus blockade
Journal Title: Annals of Surgical Oncology
Volume: 18
Issue: 3
ISSN: 1068-9265
Publisher: Springer  
Date Published: 2011-03-01
Start Page: 636
End Page: 641
Language: English
DOI: 10.1245/s10434-010-1372-x
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 20953910
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Export Date: 23 June 2011" - "CODEN: ASONF" - "Source: Scopus"
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MSK Authors
  1. Joanne Fu-Lou Chou
    332 Chou
  2. Murray F Brennan
    1059 Brennan
  3. Peter Allen
    501 Allen
  4. Vivian Strong
    265 Strong
  5. Daniel Coit
    542 Coit