Surgical treatment of pain in chronic pancreatitis. Role of the Whipple procedure

Abstract

Partial pancreaticoduodenectomy with occlusion of the remaining tail of the pancreas with Ethibloc to induce rapid exocrine atrophy was introduced by us in January 1978 for the treatment of severe chronic pancreatitis affecting the head of the gland. Between 1978 and 1986 this procedure was done for 289 patients; morbidity was 12%, mortality 1%, and relapse of the pancreatitis occurred in 2%. Of the patients who survived, 88% became completely free of pain and lost their symptoms, and 11% had minor complaints. We conclude that partial pancreaticoduodenectomy with occlusion of the pancreatic duct with Ethibloc is the procedure of choice in severe chronic pancreatitis mainly affecting the head of the gland.