Chronic relapsing pancreatitis: a review of 64 cases

A collected series of 64 cases of chronic relapsing pancreatitis is reported. Analysis of this material reveals several points of interest. There is a difference in the aetiological spectrum in Britain when compared with reports from France and the United States. In particular, nearly half the British cases were idiopathic. The clinical presentation and the age and sex ratios also varied with aetiology. Endoscopic retrograde cannulation of the pancreatic duct was of little value in confirming a diagnosis of pancreatitis in the problem case. This investigation did, however, demonstrate that a widespread dilatation of the pancreatic duct was a minority finding. In those patients with alcoholic pancreatitis follow-up studies have shown that, if the addiction can be broken, there is a 75 per cent chance that pain will diminish or disappear with the passage of time. The main indication for surgical intervention was severe pain and this study has shown that if strict criteria are observed, a worthwhile relief of symptoms can be achieved. In particular, subtotal pancreatectomy produced good results in up to 85 per cent of cases, although with an appreciable short term postoperative morbidity.