Portal hypertension as a complication of chronic pancreatitis.
OBJECTIVE
Intractable abdominal pain, duodenal stenosis and common bile duct stenosis are considered the main reasons for surgery in cases of chronic pancreatitis. The aim of the study was to discover the influence of the disease on the portal pressure.


METHODS
Blood pressure was measured in the superior mesentric vein before and after resection of the head of the pancreas in 17 patients by direct method.


RESULTS
Venous pressure was lower after resection of the head of the pancreas in all 17 measured patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Chronic pancreatitis increases not only left-sided portal pressure but also right-sided portal pressure.
Ruzicka
M
M
Department of General and Digestive Surgery, University Hospital, Brno-Bohunice, Czech Republic.
Konecna
D
D
Jordankova
E
E
D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000209:etiology*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017082:Portal Pressure