[Role of surgical splanchnicectomy in the treatment of pancreatic carcinoma].

Palliative surgical procedures offer considerable benefit for the patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer: surgical splanchnicectomy performed in conjunction with biliary-enteric by-pass offers good results as regard pain relief without increased morbidity and mortality. We treated 25 patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer by mean of biliary-enteric by-pass plus bilateral splanchnicectomy performed through different surgical approaches. In this series of patients postoperative mortality was nil, mean survival time was 7.

[Hepatobiliopancreatic surgery in patients over 70 years old: which anesthesia?].

In the last years the criteria of operability have been extended to elderly patients with hepato-pancreatic-biliary diseases. We selected 46 patients (in the seventies or older, class 3 or 4 of ASA score, affected by hepato-pancreatic-biliary neoplasms) in order to evaluate the behavior of these patients undergoing to different anaesthesiological techniques. Randomly, we treated 24 patients (group A) in general anaesthesia, and 22 patients (group B) in peridural anaesthesia.

[Peridural administration of low-dose morphine on demand following major abdominal surgery].

The present report deals with 20 patients undergoing major abdominal surgery, in whom a postoperative antalgic regimen has been administered on demand by means of morphine via lumbar peridural catheter. We injected 3 mg as the first dose after surgery and subsequent 2 mg doses when required. In each patient we controlled regularly for 72 hours the following: respiratory function, antalgic effects and side effects.

[Psychologic implications in loco-regional anesthesia].

A patients, who undergoes surgery, bears so stressful an emotional charge that his personality layout and life conflicts may emerge. When a patient is scheduled for loco-regional anaesthesia, the above mentioned issues should be taken into account to get a proper relation between the patient and the anaesthetist both in the pre- and intraoperative period. The following survey deals with psychological dynamics which compel the patient to ask for or reject a loco-regional anaesthetic procedure.

Three posterior percutaneous celiac plexus block techniques. A prospective, randomized study in 61 patients with pancreatic cancer pain.

Variations and refinements of the classic retrocrural technique of neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) for pancreatic cancer pain (PCP) have been proposed over the last 30 yr to improve success rates, avoid complications and enhance diagnostic accuracy. The aim of this prospective, randomized study was to assess the efficacy and morbidity of three posterior percutaneous NCPB techniques in 61 patients with PCP. The 61 patients were randomly allocated to three NCPB treatment groups: group 1 (20 patients, transaortic plexus block); group 2 (20 patients, classic retrocrural block); and group 3 (21 patients, bilateral chemical splanchnicectomy).

[Effectiveness of regional anesthesia for loco-regional carotid surgery. Retrospective review of 147 interventions].

The Authors present a retrospective review that compares general anesthesia with regional anesthesia performed during carotid endarterectomy surgery. The study includes 147 procedures, performed on 144 patients: 76 had general anesthesia and 71 had regional anesthesia. After emphasizing the importance of conscience preservation during regional anesthesia to allow a simple and secure monitoring of the patient's neurologic functions, the Authors point out the decrease of peri- and postoperative accidents, whether neurologic or not, obtained with regional anesthesia.

Percutaneous controlled thermocoagulation in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.

This study reviews the results and complications of 162 percutaneous thermocoagulations of the gasserian ganglion in 124 patients with typical idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. The mean duration of follow-up observation was 3.7 years (range, 1-6 years).

[The analgesic treatment of the surgical patient].

An effective treatment of postoperative pain can achieve a better postop course especially in high risk patients. Pain is unacceptable when it can be relieved and, beside all it causes vasoconstriction, hypertension, tachycardia, fluid retention and pulmonary hypoventilation. A correct use of both narcotic drugs and NSAIDs are sufficient in most cases.

Cerebral tryptophan metabolism in humans in relation to malignant pain.

The authors investigated the cerebral metabolism of tryptophan in patients suffering from malignant pain by means of CSF dosage of tryptophan (Trp), 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA). The level of 5-HIAA in patients with pain was 66.48 +/- 13.

[Effects of extracorporeal circulation and hypothermia on cellular immune activity in patients undergoing heart surgery].

Aspecific cellular reactivity was assessed in patients who underwent open heart surgery. The authors conclude that depressed PMN activity measured as O2- production is not linked to anaesthesiological procedures, hemodilution and hypothermia. No conclusive reports are possible on the role of pulmonary reinfusion or plasmatic and cellular mechanism of depression.

[Zuckerkandl tubercle of the thyroid gland (anatomo-surgical study: preliminary considerations)].

The presence of tubercle of Zuckerkandl (TZ) of the thyroid gland has been investigated in 20 specimens obtained from patients died from diseases not concerned to the cervical area. The project mas undertaken to elucidate the presence and the role of TZ as normal anatomical landmark. Special attempt has been paid to the relationships of the TZ with parathyroid gland and recurrent laryngeal nerve and the branches of the inferior thyroid artery.

Results up to death in the treatment of persistent cervico-thoracic (Pancoast) and thoracic malignant pain by unilateral percutaneous cervical cordotomy.

The authors analyse the results up to death in 103 followed-up patients undergoing unilateral percutaneous cervical cordotomy for persistent cervico-thoracic malignant pain (45 cases of Pancoast syndrome and 58 cases of thoracic pain associated with lung cancer or metastases). On the basis of epidemiological data, relationships emerge between onset of pain, stage of cancer, patient survival and lasting efficacy of pain relief. Twenty (44%) of 45 patients with Pancoast syndrome were pain-free up to death as a result of cordotomy alone, while only 13/58 patients (22%) with thoracic pain were pain-free as a result of cordotomy alone owing to the very high incidence of mirror pain in this group of patients (42/58 patients, 72%) compared to those with Pancoast syndrome (14/45 patients, 31%).

Subarachnoid neurolytic block (L5-S1) and unilateral percutaneous cervical cordotomy in the treatment of pain secondary to pelvic malignant disease.

The present study deals with the immediate and long-term results of subarachnoid neurolytic block (L5-S1) with 7.5%, 10% and 15% concentrations of phenol in glycerine and/or unilateral percutaneous cervical cordotomy in 73 patients (follow-up in 56 patients) suffering from perineal, perineopelvisacral or pelvisacral pain secondary to malignant diseases of the pelvic cavity. Subarachnoid neurolytic block (L5-S1) produced satisfactory, long-lasting relief of perineal pain when the higher concentrations of phenol (10 and 15%) were used.

Role of unilateral percutaneous cervical cordotomy in the treatment of neoplastic vertebral pain.

The present study is a long-term report on 69 patients undergoing unilateral percutaneous cervical cordotomy for vertebral pain due to neoplastic bone metastases. The pain was unilateral or bilateral and was characterised by a chronic and/or an incident component. Seventy-one per cent (49/69) of the patients benefitted from the operation, obtaining complete, lasting pain relief or a reduced degree of pain, amenable to control by medication with narcotic or non-narcotic drugs.

Bilateral percutaneous cervical cordotomy: immediate and long-term results in 36 patients with neoplastic disease.

Thirty-six patients with neoplastic disease suffering from chronic bilateral pain were subjected to bilateral percutaneous cervical cordotomy. The technique and precautions to be taken in bilateral percutaneous cervical cordotomy performed either in one or two stages are described using a traditional or Levin's thermocouple-monitored electrode. The sequelae, complications and immediate and long-term results are reported.

A new approach to the neurolytic block of the coeliac plexus: the transaortic technique.

The present study critically examines the coeliac plexus block techniques hitherto adopted, pointing out the complications involved and stressing the seriousness of the neurological complications due to spread of the neurolytic agent to the sympathetic chain and the lumbar plexus. Contrast enhanced CT scans demonstrate the difficulties involved in confining the neurolytic agent to the anterior, peri-aortic and precrural regions. The authors report their recent experience with coeliac plexus block by means of a single transaortic needle in 28 patients.