Surgical Treatment for Chronic Pancreatitis

Abstract

We analyzed the results of surgical treatment for 78 patients with chronic pancreatitis from January 1,1971, to December 31,1990. Eighty-one percent of the patients with longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ), 100% of the patients with pancreatectomy, 91% of the patients with drainage of a pancreatic cyst, 100% of the patients with modified Warren's operation and 100% of the patient with surgery on the biliary tract experienced mitigation or disappearance of pain. Abnormal glucose tolerance after the operation was observed in 35% of the patients with pancreatectomy compared to 11% of those with PJ. In addition, concerning the quality of life, 35% of the patients with pancreatectomy became worse compared to 19% of the patients with PJ. As the main reason for surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis is to lesson the pain, we recommend PJ for patients with dilation of the pancreatic duct and modified Warren's operation for patients with a nondilated pancreatic duct to preserve pancreatic function. Copyright © 1991, The Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery. All rights reserved.