Experiences with duodenum preserving pancreatectomy.

According to the principle of surgery for chronic pancreatitis the preservation of pylorus, duodenum or distal part of common bile duct gives the benefit of more physiological intervention. 2 patients with duodenum preserving pancreatectomy are presented. The operation was carried out for chronic pancreatitis. Both patients had jaundice and needed T drainage. Both patients suffered from very severe malnutrition with cachectic condition adding severe pain. None of them proved to be malignant by the frozen section. Previous diabetes, severe chronic inflammation of the whole pancreas, destruction of the pancreatic ductal system and cysts helped the decision-making for ablation of pancreas with preservation of duodenum which seems organ saving procedure. In comparison with the Whipple operation the duodenum-preserving pancreatectomy spares the patient a gastrectomy, a duodenectomy and a resection of distal common bile duct.