PAIN RELIEF IN CHRONIC-PANCREATITIS BY PANCREATICO-JEJUNOSTOMY - AN INSTITUTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Effective pain control in chronic pancreatitis can be accomplished by pancreatic resection or decompression. Pancreatico-jejunostomy (PJ) ha s been reported to be effective for relieving pain in 70-80% of cases. The present study analyzes the authors' long-term results with PJ in the treatment of pancreatic pain. From 1963 to 1993, 49 patients with chronic pancreatitis underwent PJ for uncontrollable pain. General and radiologic characteristics, intraoperative findings and outcome were analyzed. Mean age was 35 +/- 13 years, 34 were male and 15 female. Al coholic etiology was documented in 23 patients. Multiple pancreatic ca lcifications were found in 33 patients. Pancreatic biopsy confirmed ch ronic pancreatitis in all patients. There was one operative mortality, 12 minor, and 4 major complications. In a mean follow-up of 6.5 years , 98% of the total group was found to be free of pain. Pancreatic func tion remained stable in most patients. PJ is an excellent procedure fo r pain control that allows stable pancreatic function.