Duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection--a randomized controlled trial comparing the original Beger procedure with the Berne modification (ISRCTN No. 50638764).
OBJECTIVE
A prospective, randomized study was performed to evaluate two variations of the duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (DPPHR), either with (Beger procedure) or without (Berne modification) the division of the pancreas anterior to the portal vein, in patients with chronic pancreatitis.


METHODS
Randomized, controlled, patient-blinded trial of patients with inflammatory pancreatic head tumors. The primary endpoint was the duration of surgery. Other a priori-ordered endpoints were length of ICU stay, postoperative complication, length of hospital stay, and quality of life after 24 months.


RESULTS
Sixty-five patients were randomized to the Berne or Beger procedures. The Berne modification could be performed faster (46 minutes difference, P < .05). The median length of stay on the ICU was one day in both groups (P = .97) but the median hospital stay was shorter in the Berne group (11 (8-39) versus 15 (8-47); P = .015). The quality of life two years after surgery did not differ significantly between the two groups (EORTC-QLQ-C30, Beger 65.6% vs. Berne 71.3%, P = .371). Three patients who had received the Berne procedure were reoperated on during the follow-up period due to ongoing pancreatitis and bile duct obstruction (P = .22).


CONCLUSIONS
The Berne technique is technically simpler compared with the original Beger procedure, reflected in its significantly shorter operation times and hospital stays. The quality of life is similar after both procedures. The Berne modification of DPPHR adds to our panel of surgical procedures that can be applied with effective early and late outcomes.
Köninger
Jörg
J
Department of General Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Seiler
Christoph M
CM
Sauerland
Stefan
S
Wente
Moritz N
MN
Reidel
Margot A
MA
Müller
Michael W
MW
Friess
Helmut
H
Büchler
Markus W
MW
D000328:Adult; D004386:Duodenum / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010179:Pancreas / Q000601:surgery; D010180:Pancreatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000601:surgery*; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013997:Time Factors