[Chronic pancreatitis. Operation indications and procedures]

Chronic pancreatitis can lead to intractable pain, pancreatic duct obstruction, duodenal stenosis and vascular compression syndromes. Surgical interventions can effectively treat these symptoms. Endoscopic procedures are principally possible but rarely lead to a lasting relief of symptoms. The type of surgical intervention should be selected depending on the morphological changes of the pancreas. Up to 90 % of patients present with an inflammatory mass in the head of the pancreas. In these cases a duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (DPPHR) modified according to Beger, Frey or Berne should be preferred. These procedures are comparable in terms of the postoperative course. The Kausch-Whipple procedure is indicated in all cases where malignancy is suspected. According to the current literature, patients with an inflammatory mass in the pancreatic head benefit more from a DPPHR than a Kausch-Whipple procedure. Drainage procedures may be useful for the treatment of pseudocysts or in rare situations with purely ductal obstructions. The decision as to which procedure is appropriate should be taken in an interdisciplinary cooperation between gastroenterologists and surgeons.