Surgical palliation for pancreatic cancer

The effectiveness of surgical palliation for pancreatic cancer has been reviewed. Jaundice should be relieved early as this eliminates distressing pruritus, improves the quality of life, and avoids the sequelae of prolonged extrahepatic obstruction. The procedure may prolong survival, but this has not been proved. Biliary obstruction is managed best by a simple loop cholecystojejunostomy. If the gallbladder is unavailable, a choledochojejunostomy is equally effective. Nonsurgical techniques such as percutaneous or endoscopically placed biliary stents may be appropriate in patients who are not candidates for surgery. A gastrojejunostomy should be done in all patients who have gastroduodenal obstruction by tumor. Most patients who undergo surgical biliary bypass also should have a gastrojejunostomy, even if gastroduodenal obstruction has not yet developed. Otherwise, more than 20 per cent of patients may need a second operation if gastroduodenal obstruction develops later. Pain, a problem in more than half of patients, is best relieved by an intraoperative celiac ganglion block with 50 per cent ethanol. Laparotomy is desirable in most of these patients with pancreatic cancer, because it provides tissue for diagnosis, allows a definite assessment of resectability, and produces effective palliation.