The cause and management of the pain of chronic pancreatitis.

The cause of pain in chronic pancreatitis appears to be related to ductal and parenchymal hypertension and possibly to pancreatic ischemia. The management of pain needs a multidisciplinary approach. Medical measures such as abstinence from alcohol and therapy with mild analgesics are useful. Surgery should be considered when the pain begins to interfere with the patient's quality of life. Ductal drainage operations may be indicated when the duct is dilatated. The alternative is pancreatic resection, which, although safe and effective, creates diabetes when much of the pancreas is removed. Newer operations that relieve pain while preserving function are being devised.