Prospective randomised comparison of organ-preserving pancreatic head resection with pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy.
OBJECTIVE
In a prospective, randomised, control trial organ-preserving pancreatic head resection (OPPHR) was compared with pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) to assess the advantages and disadvantages of each type of operation.


METHODS
Forty patients were allocated randomly to either the OPPHR (n=20) or the PPPD (n=20) group. The surgical data, postoperative complications, induction of diabetes mellitus, postoperative pain and quality of life 1 year, postoperatively, were considered.


RESULTS
The two study groups of 20 patients were well balanced with regard to sex, age, chronic pancreatitis history and indication for surgery. The duration of the operation for OPPHR and PPPD was 142.5+/-4.9 and 278+/-6.9 min, respectively (P<0.05). The postoperative mortality in each group was zero. After OPPHR and PPPD, the morbidity was 0 and 40%, respectively (P<0.05). The duration of hospital stay was also significantly different: 8.05+/-0.9 vs 13.8+/-3.9 days (P<0.05). After 1 year the pain relief was effective in both groups, but three patients acquired diabetes mellitus after PPPD; the body weight had increased by 7.8+/-0.9 and 3.2+/-0.3 kg after OPPHR and PPPD, respectively (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The two procedures are equally safe and effective with regard to pain relief, but OPPHR is superior to PPPD not only in the operation data and morbidity, but also in the quality of life 1 year postoperatively. OPPHR should be regarded as a recommended procedure in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis.
Farkas
Gyula
G
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, P.O. Box 427, Szeged, 6701, Hungary. fg@surg.szote.u-szeged.hu
Leindler
László
L
Daróczi
Mária
M
Farkas
Gyula
G