Redrainage of the pancreatic duct in chronic pancreatitis

Recurrent pain after a drainage procedure for chronic pancreatitis is considered an indication for pancreatectomy. To evaluate whether redrainage might be a better alternative, 14 patients who underwent redrainage after a failed pancreaticojejunostomy were reviewed. Patients with previous pseudocyst drainage were excluded. Initial operations included five caudal, three longitudinal, and six side-to-side pancreaticojejunostomies. Nine patients treated since 1974 had ERCP, which showed obstructed segments of pancreatic duct in the head of the gland. Two caudal pancreaticojejunostomies and one longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy were revised to longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomies. The other 11 were revised to side-to-side pancreaticojejunostomies. Operative findings confirmed undrained segments of the pancreatic duct in the pancreatic head. Postoperatively, one patient died from hemorrhage and four patients had complications. At most recent follow-up from 6 months to 20 years postoperatively, three patients were pain free and six had substantial relief from pain (71 percent). Of eight patients who were not diabetic before redrainage, diabetes developed in only two. Only one of seven patients without pancreatic exocrine insufficiency required pancreatic enzymes after redrainage. Patients with recurrent pain after pancreaticojejunostomy should undergo ERCP. If segments of the pancreatic duct are obstructed, redrainage can provide satisfactory pain relief with a minimal loss of endocrine and exocrine function. This problem is best avoided by initial complete drainage of the major and minor pancreatic ducts.