Frey procedure in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis: short-term results.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this multicenter study was to report the short-term results of the Frey procedure in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis.


METHODS
For the period between September 2000 and January 2005, 34 Frey procedures were performed for chronic pancreatitis in 4 university hospitals. This study includes 31 men (91%) and 3 women (9%), with a mean age of 48 +/- 6 years (range, 32-58 years). The etiology of chronic pancreatitis was chronic alcohol ingestion in 32 patients (94%) and hereditary chronic pancreatitis in 2 patients. The indications of surgery were abdominal pain in all patients, requiring opiates in 59% (n = 20) and associated with a weight loss in 79% (n = 27).


RESULTS
There was no mortality. Eleven postoperative surgical complications occurred in 7 patients (20%). Three patients had a single complication, and 4 patients had 2 complications. Pancreatic fistula occurred in 4 patients and healed under conservative management in all cases. One patient had massive bleeding from the stump of gastroduodenal artery requiring reoperation. The mean hospital stay was 16 +/- 8 days (range, 9-40 days). The mean follow-up was 15 +/- 12 months (range, 3-37 months). At the time of the last follow-up visit, the examiner judged that 19 patients (56%) have complete pain relief and 11 patients (32%) have substantial pain relief. No patient used narcotic analgesics postoperatively. Seven patients developed diabetes mellitus, requiring insulin (n = 1), oral hypoglycemic agents (n = 5), and diet adjustment (n = 1). Four patients developed exocrine insufficiency. Weight increases with a mean of 4.8 +/- 5.4 kg (range, 1-24 kg) in 27 patients (79%).


CONCLUSIONS
Frey procedure appears as a safe technique with low mortality and morbidity rates and allows effective pain relief in about 90% of patients.
Pessaux
Patrick
P
Department of Digestive Surgery, University Hospital, Angers, France. pessauxpchuangers@yahoo.fr
Kianmanesh
Reza
R
Regimbeau
Jean-Marc
JM
Sastre
Bernard
B
Delcenserie
Richard
R
Sielezneff
Igor
I
Arnaud
Jean-Pierre
JP
Sauvanet
Alain
A
D018784:Abdominal Abscess / Q000209:etiology; D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D001658:Biliary Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010180:Pancreatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D010185:Pancreatic Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D010193:Pancreaticojejunostomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009294:Narcotics