Open AccessResection for Pancreatitis in Patients with Pancreas Divisum
Author(s) -
Alison Blair,
Christopher Russell,
Peter B. Cotton
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
annals of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.153
H-Index - 309
eISSN - 1528-1140
pISSN - 0003-4932
DOI - 10.1097/00000658-198411000-00006
Subject(s) - medicine , pancreas divisum , pancreatitis , general surgery , pancreatectomy , pancreas , resection , gastroenterology , surgery , pancreatic duct
Pancreas divisum is an anatomic duct variant, which may predispose to pancreatitis. Most patients are managed conservatively, but some patients justify attempts to improve drainage. The correct surgical approach is not yet established, and there has been no series published concerning pancreatic resection in this context. A 6-year experience with resection performed in 14 patients with severe pain is reported. There were no operative deaths, and 11 patients had good pain relief; steatorrhea developed in two patients and diabetes in one. The hypothesis that pancreas divisum may cause pancreatitis is supported by examination of resection specimens after pancreaticoduodenectomy; the dorsal part showed chronic pancreatitis and the ventral portion was normal.