Objective The authors evaluated the morbidity, mortality, and quality
of life after pancreatic debridement for necrosis and compared these v
alues to those for quality of life after elective medical and surgical
management for chronic pancreatitis. Summary Background Data Quality
of life after pancreatic debridement for necrosis has received little
attention. Although quality of life after other pancreatic surgery has
been evaluated and is thought to be good, management of patients with
pancreatic necrosis can be labor intensive and require extraordinary
resources. Therefore, further evaluation of the quality of life achiev
ed after treatment is appropriate. Methods Forty patients (group 1) un
derwent operative debridement for necrosis between 1986 and 1994. Medi
cal records of these patients were reviewed for morbidity, mortality,
and in-hospital costs. Follow-up of quality of life was assessed by th
e Short Form-36 Health Survey. Patients in group 2 (n = 89) underwent
medical management of chronic pancreatitis. Group 3 included 47 patien
ts who underwent elective operations for ductal abnormalities. The Sho
rt Form-36 Health Surveys were administered to all three groups and co
mpared statistically.Results Mortality and morbidity from pancreatic d
ebridement was 18% and 77%, respectively. Quality-of-life evaluations
in groups 1 through 3 and age-matched controls were statistically simi
lar. Conclusions Pancreatic debridement for necrosis requires intense
application of resources and is associated with a high mortality and m
orbidity. Long-term follow-up shows good quality of life for patients
who survive this morbid disease. This study supports the continued agg
ressive approach to the management of pancreatic necrosis, given that
long-term outcome about quality of life is good.