Surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis with an inflammatory pancreatic head mass: a retrospective study

Both pancreatoduodenectomy and duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection are safe treatment options. Duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection showed a statistically significant superiority in the operative time compared to pancreaticoduodenectomy. Although other monitored parameters did not show a statistically significant difference, the high risk of complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy with a mortality of 5%; maintenance of the duodenum and upper loop of jejunum, and lower risk of metabolic dysfunctions after duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection may favour duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection in recommended diagnoses. Attending physicians should be more encouraged to use a multidisciplinary approach to assess the suitability of surgical treatment in patients with chronic pancreatitis.