Chronic pancreatitis: a 5-year experience

Of 81 patients with chronic pancreatitis admitted to the Ottawa Civic Hospital over a 5-year period, 40 had conditions that were thought to be amenable to various operations. Good results were obtained in 70%. Of note were the 75% good results of pancreaticojejunostomy. Several patients needed further operations. The proportion of good results leaves no room for complacency, but it is difficult to envisage how a damaged gland can be expected to make a full recovery from either internal or external drainage procedures. Two patients died of carcinoma within 2 years of their initial operation and may have had carcinoma of the pancreas from the outset, although their mode of presentation and results of investigation were those of chronic pancreatitis. Alcohol abuse was thought to be responsible for the condition in 72% of these patients.