Resection for pancreatitis in patients with pancreas divisum.

Pancreas divisum is an anatomic duct variant, which may predispose to pancreatitis. Most patients are managed conservatively, but some patients justify attempts to improve drainage. The correct surgical approach is not yet established, and there has been no series published concerning pancreatic resection in this context. A 6-year experience with resection performed in 14 patients with severe pain is reported. There were no operative deaths, and 11 patients had good pain relief; steatorrhea developed in two patients and diabetes in one. The hypothesis that pancreas divisum may cause pancreatitis is supported by examination of resection specimens after pancreaticoduodenectomy; the dorsal part showed chronic pancreatitis and the ventral portion was normal.