[Duodenum-sparing pancreas head resection in chronic pancreatitis--results after 10 years' use]

During a ten years period duodenum preserving pancreatic head resection was performed in 56 patients with chronic pancreatitis and related pancreatic head tumor. Immediate lethality was 1.8%, rate of reoperation 3.6%, late lethality after an average follow-up of 24 months (minimum 1, maximum 124 months) 3.6%. At the time of follow-up 87.3% of the patients were back at work, 58% were free of abdominal symptoms, 7.4% complained about occasional to frequent abdominal pains. 72.9% gained weight postoperatively. Duodenum preserving pancreatic head resection constitutes the subtotal resection of the pancreatic head and jejunal interpostition for the parenchymal defect. The procedure is advantageous as compared to Whipple's operation in so far as stomach, duodenum and bile duct remain intact.