Partington-rochelle pancreaticojejunostomy for chronic pancreatitis: analysis of outcome including quality of life.

Abstract

Obstruction of the main pancreatic duct in chronic pancreatitis (CP) leads to an increased intraductal and intraparenchymal pressure causing pain. In this study we evaluated the outcome of surgical treatment of CP including the quality of life following Partington-Rochellepancreaticojejunostomy (PRP) performed for intractable pain.
Between July 2002 and May 2008, PRP was performed in 17 patients in whom the diameter of the main pancreatic duct exceeded 7mm and there was no inflammatory tumor in the pancreatic head. Perioperative morbidity and mortality were analyzed in all patients. The long term outcome including the quality of life (Karnofsky index) was evaluated in 9 patients who were followed with a mean 28 (range 13-60) months since surgery.
Complications in the postoperative period were found in 3 (18%) patients including 1 death due to a myocardial infarction shortly after surgery. All patients submitted to the long-term evaluation reported a significant (p < 0.0001) pain reduction by an average of 6.2 (5-8) points in a 10-points visual analogue scale. The Karnofsky index increased significantly from a mean 52% (40-70%) before surgery up to 82% (70-90%) following surgery and long-term.
PRP leads to a substantial quality of life improvement in patients with CP.