Ten-year experience with duodenum and organ-preserving pancreatic head resection (Büchler-Farkas modification) in the surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis.
OBJECTIVE
Chronic pancreatitis, a benign, inflammatory process, can cause enlargement of the pancreatic head, which is accompanied by severe pain and weight loss and often leads to a significant reduction in the quality of life (QoL).


METHODS
Our clinical experience relates to the results attained with duodenum and organ-preserving pancreatic head resection in 160 patients during a 10-year period. The QoL is assessed during the follow-up period by using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire.


RESULTS
Two reoperations were required in consequence of anastomosis bleeding and small bowel obstruction, but no mortality was noted in the postoperative period. The duration of hospitalization ranged between 7 and 12 days. The mean follow-up time was 5.3 years (range, 0.5-10.0 years). The late mortality rate was 6.9%. The QoL improved in 89% of the cases. One hundred thirty-three of the patients became complaint-free, whereas 16 displayed moderate symptoms, and the weight increased by a median of 13.4 kg (range, 4-30 kg). The postoperative endocrine functions remained in almost the same stage as preoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
Our 10-year experience clearly demonstrates that this duodenum and organ-preserving pancreatic head resection technique is a safe and effective procedure, which should be preferred in the surgical treatment of the complications of chronic pancreatitis.
Farkas
Gyula
G
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary. fg@surg.szote.u-szeged.hu
Leindler
László
L
Daróczi
Mária
M
Farkas
Gyula
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004386:Duodenum / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010179:Pancreas / Q000601:surgery*; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life