Background
Laparoscopic adhesiolysis as a therapy for chronic pain is still controversial, and
long-term effects are not known; therefore, our aim was to evaluate long-term effects
of laparoscopic adhesiolysis for the treatment of chronic abdominal pain believed
to be related to intraperitoneal adhesions.
Methods
A total of 100 patients with abdominal pain attributed to adhesions were randomized
to laparoscopic adhesiolysis or a placebo group with laparoscopy alone. Pain relief
was assessed after 12-year follow-up.
Results
A total of 73% of patients fulfilled the long-term follow-up. Compared to the placebo
group (n = 31), patients in the adhesiolysis group (n = 42) were significantly less often pain-free (8 vs 13, P = .033, relative risk [RR] = 1.3) and to have a greater intake of analgesics (26
vs 16, P = .379, RR = 1.2, 95% confidence interval 0.8–1.8). Moreover, the adhesiolysis group
sought medical consultations more frequently (14 vs 6, P = .186, RR = 1.33, 95% confidence interval 0.9–1.9), and had an increased rate of
additional operation (8 vs 1, P = .042, RR = 1.67, 95% confidence interval 1.208–2.318). Both groups had improved
pain and quality-of-life scores.
Conclusion
This is the first, long-term, placebo-controlled trial regarding the use of laparoscopic
adhesiolysis for treating chronic abdominal pain. Laparoscopic adhesiolysis was less
beneficial than laparoscopy alone in the long term. Secondly, there appeared to be
a powerful, long-lasting placebo effect of laparoscopy. Because adhesiolysis is associated
with an increased risk of operative complications, avoiding this treatment may result
in less morbidity and health care costs.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 17, 2016
Accepted:
August 5,
2016
Footnotes
There are no sources of support for the work being reported.
The authors declare no conflicts of interests.
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
