SURGERY FOR CHRONIC-PANCREATITIS - A SCOR ING SYSTEM FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF THERAPEUTIC SUCCESS

Surgery for chronic pancreatitis is criticized as being too risky to t reat an allegedly self-limiting disease. Therefore, analysis of treatm ent results after surgery is necessary. Relevant parameters are - besi des late surgical complications - pain, exocrine and endocrine insuffi ciency, weight loss, regular medications, general fitness and ability to work, all of which have to be accounted for preand postoperatively. All parameters were integrated into an outcome score. 64 patients wer e studied 3.5 years (median) after different surgical procedures for p roven chronic pancreatitis. Efficient pain control was achieved with e very procedure. Resection caused more often functional deficiencies. H owever, these patients felt generally fitter after surgery and more of ten worked full-time. The outcome score demonstrated different results for the various procedures. Especially the risk-benefit ratio of cyst oenterostomies can probably be improved by percutaneous drainage techn iques.