Wirsungectomy for pancreatic hypertension in chronic pancreatitis

Background. Pain in chronic pancreatitis (CP) can occur as a consequence of mechanical factors — pancreatic ductal hypertension, interstitial pressure, inflammatory and neuropathic pathological changes in the pancreas. The purpose was to evaluate a novel modification of the classic Partington-Rochelle procedure via comparing functional results of conventional surgery group and wirsungectomy group. Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of the case histories of patients with CP and an enlarged (≥ 4 mm) main pancreatic duct was carried out for the period from 2003 to 2009, which underwent surgical treatment of CP. The SF-36 and EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaires, and visual analogue scale of pain were used for the assessment. The first group included five patients with wirsungectomy with lateral pancreaticojejunostomy (PEA + WE); the second group consisted of 20 patients after the lateral pancreaticojejunostomy (PEA) only. Cross-tabulation analyses were performed to compare PEA and PEA + WE groups as well as those groups in different time points using a two-sided Student’s t-test. The significance level was set to p < 0.05. Results. The groups were compared in terms of VAS and the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire before and 2 years after surgery using Student’s t-test for unrelated values: statistically significant differences between the groups according to VAS as before (p = 0.757) and after surgery (p = 0.696) were not obtained. There were no significant differen­ces (p > 0.05) between the PEA and PEA + WE groups before and after surgery according to the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaires, except for some items (p < 0.05) Within the groups according to VAS and EORTC QLQ-C30 (pain severity), in the PEA group (p = 0.000001, p = 0.000109) and the PEA + WE group (p = 0.018, p = 0.017) after surgery, there was a statistically significant decrease in pain. Conclusions. Longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy with wirsungectomy is justified in patients with long-term CP, severe fibrosis of the pancreas with multiple calcifications of the periphery pancreatic ducts to decompress pancreatic ducts, and parenchyma. In the long-term period after 2 years, the proposed method of longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy with wirsungectomy in patients with CP with dilation of main pancreatic duct according to the VAS scale and EORTC QLQ questionnaires C30 and SF-36 is accompanied by a significant reduction in pain.

Pancreatic malignancy in the backdrop of chronic pancreatitis: How much to push the boundaries to achieve R0 resection

Tumors of the body and tail of the pancreas are often more aggressive than tumors of the head and would have often undergone metastatic spread to other organs at the time of diagnosis. Most patients with carcinoma of the body and tail of the pancreas present at a late stage. Surgery is only indicated in those patients in whom there is no evidence of metastatic spread. Surgery is often not possible in cancers of the body and tail of the pancreas if the tumor invades celiac artery. Controversy exists regarding the margin status impact of microscopic resection margin involvement (R1) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for PDAC. There are reports indicating the rate of R1 resections increases significantly after PD if pathological examination is standardized. In this report, we present the case of a 56-year-old female who had undergone lateral pancreaticojejunostomy for chronic pancreatitis 8 years ago, but has now developed malignancy of the body and tail of the pancreas involving multiple organs. This patient underwent en bloc resection involving: 1. distal pancreatectomy with jejunal loop (lateral pancreaticojejunostomy) resection; 2. splenectomy; 3. left nephrectomy; 4. total gastrectomy; and 5. segmental colectomy with reconstruction by esophagojejunostomy, jejunojejunostomy, and colocolic anastomosis. The infrequent occurrence of tumor in the distal gland and advanced tumor stage at the time of diagnosis have both combined to produce therapeutic nihilism/dilemma in the minds of many surgeons. This report highlights the decision on how much to the push limits for multi-organ resection (en bloc resection with distal pancreatectomy, gastrectomy, splenectomy, colectomy, nephrectomy) with the intent of achieving R0 status in spite of the complexity of surgery in selected patients.

A clinical study on lateral pancreaticojejunostomy in a case of chronic pancreatitis

Lateral pancreaticojejunostomy is a seldom performed procedure in a peripheral tertiary health care centre. Very few numbers of cases are reported that undergoes surgical procedures for chronic pancreatitis. We report a such rare case in our institute that undergone pancreatic drainage procedure. A 70 year old poor patient was admitted in our institute with a complaint of chronic abdominal pain, subsequently diagnosed to be having chronic pancreatitis with complications with pancreatic duct calculus. Pancreatic drainage procedure, lateral pancreaticojejunostomy was performed and we analysed for the outcome of the procedure with regards to pain relief, anastomotic leak, quality of life and return to work. Patient recovered well post-operatively, reported pain relief, suffered no anastomotic leak and experienced improved quality of life. Lateral pancreaticojejunostomy provides excellent surgical choice for patients of chronic pancreatitis with pancreatic duct calculus with acceptable rates of pain relief, morbidity and mortality, without worsening pancreatic insufficiency.

Outcome after Lateral Pancreaticojejunostomy for Chronic Calcific Pancreatitis: A Short Term Prospective Study

Chronic pancreatitis is a fairly common condition with pain being the major symptom and longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy (LPJ) is performed for symptomatic relief. The aim of the study is to assess the outcome of LPJ for chronic calcific pancreatitis and to evaluate the factors influencing relief of symptoms. A prospective observational study enrolling 28 patients was conducted in the department of surgery of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital from January 2018 to December 2018. This study involved identification of various risk factors related to chronic pancreatitis, pancreaticojejunostomy, early post-operative outcome and postoperative assessment of pain relief at 1 and 6 months from surgery. Pain was assessed using Visual analogue scale (VAS). In chronic pancreatitis, there is a significant relief of pain in post-LPJ; the degree of relief was less in the alcoholics than non-alcoholics (p=0.09) and in smokers. There was also reduction in analgesic requirement and frequency of acute attacks of pain. In chronic pancreatitis, there is a significant relief of pain in post-LPJ, although the degree of relief is less in the alcoholics and smokers. J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll, June 2019, Vol.11(1); 13-16