NATURAL COURSE OF OPERATED PSEUDOCYSTS IN CHRONIC-PANCREATITIS

A longterm review (median follow up 11 years) of the postoperative cou rse of pancreatic pseudocysts was undertaken in 55 patients with chron ic pancreatitis. While 96% of the patients were free of pain immediate ly after the operation this figure fell to 53% subsequently. Alcohol a bstinence did not significantly reduce pain. Endocrine pancreatic dete rioration (60%) was significantly (p=0.0059) more frequent than exocri ne (38%). Unemployment increased from 2 to 41%; retirement rose from 0 to 33%, mainly as a result of pancreatitis. Twenty one (38%) patients died. Chronic pancreatitis related death rate was 14%. Three patients died of extrapancreatic carcinomas.