Feasibility of laparoscopic modified Frey procedure for chronic pancreatitis: a prospective 6 case series

BACKGROUND: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is characterized by longstanding inflammation of the pancreas. Several authors have reported minimally invasive treatment of this CP (pancreaticoduodenectomy, lateral pancreaticojejunostomy, Frey procedure) with promising short-term outcomes. METHODS: This is a case series of 6 patients diagnosed with CP and treated using the laparoscopic modified Frey procedure at Hue Central Hospital, Vietnam. RESULTS: Six patients (5 males and 1 female) with CP and operated on using modified Frey's procedure. The median age was 45 years old. The mean of Body Mass Index was 16.3 kg/m 2 . The median preoperative duration of symptoms was 3.3 years. All patients were presented with a dilated main pancreatic duct (mean diameter of 7.8 mm). The median time to first bowel movement was 1.5 (1-2) days. The median postoperative hospital stay was 7 (5-11) days. No reoperation or mortality was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic modified Frey procedure is feasible and safe with good short-term and mid-term outcomes for chronic pancreatitis. ( Cite this article as: Nguyen TX, Dang NT, Ton-Nu V. Feasibility of laparoscopic modified Frey procedure for chronic pan-creatitis: a prospective 6 case series. Minerva Surg 2024 Jul 26. DOI: 10.23736/S2724-5691.24.10351-6)