DUODENUM-PRESERVING RESECTION OF THE HEAD OF THE PANCREAS IN PAINFUL CHRONIC-PANCREATITIS

Objective: Evaluation of duodenum preserving resection of the head of the pancreas in patients with disabling pain caused by chronic pancrea titis with an inflammatory mass in the head of the pancreas. Design: R etrospective study. Setting: University hospital, The Netherlands. Sub jects: 15 consecutive patients. Main outcome measures: Mortality, morb idity, pain relief, endocrine and exocrine function. Results: There wa s no 30 day postoperative mortality. Early morbidity consisted of smal l bowel leak (n = 1), obstructive ileus (n = 1) and peri anastomotic a bscess (n = 2). Relief of pain was achieved in 13 patients (86%) after a mean follow up of 37 months; 11 (73%) were totally free of pain, an d 2 (13%) had improved. Neither endocrine nor exocrine function deteri orated significantly after resection. Conclusion: Duodenum preserving resection is an effective operation in patients with disabling pain ca used by chronic pancreatitis with an inflammatory mass in the head of the pancreas.