[Effect of electroanesthesia and neuroleptanalgesia on blood plasma beta-endorphin level during surgical intervention in cancer patients].

Beta-endorphin release was studied in 40 patients after surgery for thyroid cancer or after femoral amputation due to malignant malformations in bones and soft tissues of the lower extremities. In thyroid surgery beta-endorphin release was more marked under neuroleptanalgesia than under combined electroanesthesia. A correlation between beta-endorphin and ACTH levels has been established. It indicates a stress nature of neuropeptide release. In patients with femoral amputation an increased beta-endorphin release was not observed. Possible mechanisms of beta-endorphin level elevation are discussed in terms of modern concepts of pain modulation.