Duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection or pancreatoduodenectomy for the surgical treatment of paraduodenal pancreatitis: a retrospective cohort study

PurposeParaduodenal pancreatitis (PDP) is an uncommon yet well-described type of focal chronic pancreatitis. The aim of our study was to compare the outcomes of surgical treatment of patients with PDP using pancreatoduodenectomy and duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (DPPHR).MethodsA retrospective analysis of 153 consecutive patients with PDP was performed. Patients who were treated with either DPPHR or PD were enrolled. The primary endpoint of the study was pain control achieved at the time of follow-up. The secondary endpoints of the study were complication rate (Clavien-Dindo > 2), hospital length of stay, and 90-day mortality. All patients were followed up after discharge for the assessment of pain cessation for a minimal period of 10 months.ResultsThe final study population consisted of 71 patients. A total of 14 patients (19.7%) underwent pancreatoduodenectomy, and 57 (80.3%) were managed with DPPHR. Complication rate was significantly lower in DPPHR group at chi(2) = 4.2677, p < 0.05. Mean hospital length of stay was 9.3 days (range 3-29) in DPPHR group and 13.9 days (range 7-35) in PD group (p < 0.05). No postoperative mortality was recorded. The mean follow-up period of the patients after surgery was 41.8 +/- 20.6 months (range 10-88). Pain scores at the time of operation were calculated as 50.9 +/- 12.1 in DPPHR group and 56.1 +/- 11.4 in PD group. At the time of follow-up, pain scores improved significantly in both groups and were 10.3 +/- 8.8 and 10.9 +/- 8.6, respectively.ConclusionDPPHR achieves similar results in pain control as PD with a lower complication rate and shorter hospital LOS.