Short- and long-term outcome of surgery for chronic pancreatitis in children: a single surgeon experience

Objective The aim of this study was to report on the short-and long-term outcomes of surgery for chronic pancreatitis (CP) in children. Methods All the children, who underwent surgery for CP between August 2007 and July 2019 in the Department of Surgical gastroenterology, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, India were retrospectively reviewed. Results Of the total 54 patients, 33 (61%) were girls. The median age at operation was 16.5 years. The median duration between onset of pain and surgery was 36 months. 26% of patients were referred after failure of endotherapy. The most common indication for surgery was pain (94%). Surgery performed included modified Puestow (n = 26), Frey (n = 25), and Izbicki procedures. Twelve postoperative complications developed in ten (18.5%) patients. Most common complication was wound infection. Pancreatic leak developed in four (7.4%) patients (type A = 3, type B = 1). Median postoperative hospital stay was 8 days. There was no in-hospital mortality. Over a median follow-up of 48 months, 83% of patients had complete pain control. Weight gain was achieved in 77% of patients. New-onset diabetes and exocrine insufficiency developed in 4 and 14% of patients, respectively. Conclusions Surgery is safe with fairly acceptable perioperative complications and good long-term pain control.