Current status of pancreatojejunostomy in the management of chronic pancreatitis.

Thirty patients with chronic pancreatitis were treated by pancreatojejunostomy, six caudal and twenty-four longitudinal anastomoses. Follow-up data up to twenty years are reported and the early and long-term results compared. There were no deaths. Long-term results with caudal pancreatojejunostomy were 50 per cent excellent or improved and with longitudinal pancreatojejunostomy, 70 per cent excellent or improved. The best results were obtained when intraductal calcification was present. Longitudinal pancreatojejunostomy is recommended as the initial treatment of choice for chronic pancreatitis in patients with ductal obstruction, particularly when calcification is present.