Complications of adjacent organs in chronic pancreatitis managed by duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas

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Abstract
Chronic pancreatitis frequently generates complications through involvement of adjacent organs. Distal common bile duct stenosis and segmental duodenal stenosis, the most frequent complications, are usually treated by resection or bypass procedures. This study presents experience with duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas in the treatment of patients with chronic pancreatitis with predominant involvement of the pancreatic head and coexisting complications involving adjacent organs. This procedure preserves the structure and function of the bile duct and duodenum. Sixty-six patients with severe chronic pancreatitis underwent duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas. Thirty-eight had associated complications of neighbouring organs: 37 had distal common bile duct stenosis, seven had duodenal stenosis, ten had evidence of segmental portal hypertension and one suffered from a pancreatopleural fistula. Details of all patients were documented prospectively; mean follow-up was 4·2 years. The complications of adjacent organs were permanently eradicated in 36 of 38 patients. Two patients required endoscopic stenting for persisting bile duct obstruction. There was substantial or complete relief of all symptoms in 35 patients. Duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas is effective in the treatment of severe chronic pancreatitis with predominant involvement of the pancreatic head and provides definitive management of associated complications of adjacent organs.