[Results of cephalic pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with chronic pancreatitis].

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the results obtained after cephalic pancreatoduodenectomy in patients with severe chronic pancreatitis.

METHODS

Retrospective study of indications and results of the intervention.Patients. The inclusion criteria were severe anatomic alteration of the head of the pancreas associated with refractory pain. Pancreatoduodenectomy was performed in 19 patients.

RESULTS

Four patients had postoperative morbidity, and the mean hospital stay was 15 days. One patient died in the postoperative period. The pain evolution after surgery was: total control in 72% and satisfactory control in the remaining patients. During follow-up, de novo diabetes was detected in two patients, difficulty in maintaining weight in one patient, and de novo steatorrhea in four patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Cephalic pancreatoduodenectomy is a good therapeutic alternative for the treatment of patients with chronic pancreatitis, refractory pain, and severe involvement of the pancreas head. Pain control is excellent and sequelae, such as diabetes or steatorrhea, are easily amenable to medical treatment.