The Frey procedure: local resection of pancreatic head combined with lateral pancreaticojejunostomy.

Management of chronic pancreatitis is mainly palliative. Most patients with chronic pancreatitis require surgical evaluation and intervention when there is suspicion of pancreatic malignancy, evidence of intractable pain, or development of pancreatitis-related local complications. The ideal operation for chronic pancreatitis, therefore, should be designed to exclude the existence of malignancy, provide long-lasting pain relief, and correct the local complications. It should be as simple and safe as possible and should preserve the remaining endocrine and exocrine functions of the pancreas.