Pseudocysts of the pancreas. Review of 71 cases.

During the period of 1962 to 1972, 71 patients underwent surgical treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts. Internal drainage was performed in 73% of these patients in comparison to only 20% in a series during the previous decade. From an analysis of results, it would appear that the treatment of choice is internal drainage via either cystogastrostomy or cystojejunostomy. Postoperative bleeding and sepsis were of negligible consequence. An unexpected finding was that the long-term results of these patients seemed to be better than those of patients with pancreatitis in whom pseudocysts did not develop.