Vikrom K Dhar1, Nick C Levinsky1, Brent T Xia1, Daniel E Abbott1, Gregory C Wilson1, Jeffrey J Sussman1, Milton T Smith2, Sampath Poreddy2, Kyuran Choe3, Dennis J Hanseman1, Michael J Edwards1, Syed A Ahmad4. 1. Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati Pancreatic Disease Center, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH. 2. Department of Gastroenterology, University of Cincinnati Pancreatic Disease Center, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH. 3. Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati Pancreatic Disease Center, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH. 4. Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati Pancreatic Disease Center, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH. Electronic address: ahmadsy@uc.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: For patients with chronic pancreatitis, duodenum-sparing head resections and pancreaticoduodenectomy are effective operations to relieve abdominal pain. For patients who develop recurrent symptoms after their index operation, the long-term management remains controversial. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2014, patients undergoing operative intervention for chronic pancreatitis were identified retrospectively. Patients requiring reoperation after their index operation were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 121 patients with chronic pancreatitis underwent an index operation. At a median time of 33 months, 85 patients underwent no further operative intervention, while 36 patients underwent reoperation. A reoperative procedure was completed with acceptable perioperative morbidity and blood loss. After a revision operation, 25% of patients became narcotic independent. Narcotic requirements decreased from 143 morphine equivalent milligrams per day (MEQ/d) to 80 MEQ/d, and 58% of patients required less than 50 MEQ/d. Insulin requirements were not increased from preoperative levels. Multivariate analysis demonstrated only narcotic requirement and exocrine insufficiency after the index operation to be predictive for the need for a revision operation. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate the following: (1) A significant number of patients undergoing duodenum-sparing head resections (26%) or pancreaticoduodenectomy (29%) required reoperation for recurrent abdominal pain; and (2) a revisional operation can be effective in relieving recurrent abdominal symptoms. Patients with recurrent symptoms should be considered for additional operative intervention.
BACKGROUND: For patients with chronic pancreatitis, duodenum-sparing head resections and pancreaticoduodenectomy are effective operations to relieve abdominal pain. For patients who develop recurrent symptoms after their index operation, the long-term management remains controversial. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2014, patients undergoing operative intervention for chronic pancreatitis were identified retrospectively. Patients requiring reoperation after their index operation were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 121 patients with chronic pancreatitis underwent an index operation. At a median time of 33 months, 85 patients underwent no further operative intervention, while 36 patients underwent reoperation. A reoperative procedure was completed with acceptable perioperative morbidity and blood loss. After a revision operation, 25% of patients became narcotic independent. Narcotic requirements decreased from 143 morphine equivalent milligrams per day (MEQ/d) to 80 MEQ/d, and 58% of patients required less than 50 MEQ/d. Insulin requirements were not increased from preoperative levels. Multivariate analysis demonstrated only narcotic requirement and exocrine insufficiency after the index operation to be predictive for the need for a revision operation. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate the following: (1) A significant number of patients undergoing duodenum-sparing head resections (26%) or pancreaticoduodenectomy (29%) required reoperation for recurrent abdominal pain; and (2) a revisional operation can be effective in relieving recurrent abdominal symptoms. Patients with recurrent symptoms should be considered for additional operative intervention.