Surgery for chronic pancreatitis

Imaging after Pancreatic Surgery: Expected Findings and Postoperative Complications

Pancreatic surgery is considered one of the most technically challenging surgical procedures, despite the evolution of modern techniques. Neoplasms remain the most common indication for pancreatic surgery, although inflammatory conditions may also prompt surgical evaluation. The choice of surgical procedure depends on the type and location of the pathologic finding because different parts of the pancreas have separate vascular supplies that may be shared by adjacent organs. The surgical approach could be conventional or minimally invasive (laparoscopic, endoscopic, or robotic assisted). Because of the anatomic complexity of the pancreatic bed, perioperative complications may be frequently encountered and commonly involve the pancreatic-biliary, vascular, lymphatic, or bowel systems, irrespective of the surgical technique used. Imaging plays an important role in the assessment of suspected postoperative complications, with CT considered the primary imaging modality, while MRI, digital subtraction angiography, and molecular imaging are considered ancillary diagnostic tools. Accurate diagnosis of postoperative complications requires a solid understanding of pancreatic anatomy, surgical indications, normal postoperative appearance, and expected postsurgical changes. The practicing radiologist should be familiar with the most common perioperative complications, such as anastomotic leak, abscess, and hemorrhage, and be able to differentiate these entities from normal anticipated postoperative changes such as seroma, edema and fat stranding at the surgical site, and perivascular soft-tissue thickening. In addition to evaluation of the primary operative fossa, imaging plays a fundamental role in assessment of the adjacent organ systems secondarily affected after pancreatic surgery, such as vascular, biliary, and enteric complications. Published under a CC BY 4.0 license. Test Your Knowledge questions are available in the supplemental material. See the invited commentary by Winslow in this issue.

A Clinical Overview of Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis: The Medical and Surgical Management

An inflammatory process involving the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, can be categorized as either acute or chronic and may present in one of many ways. The clinical manifestations of acute pancreatitis are generally limited to epigastric or right upper quadrant pain, while manifestations of chronic pancreatitis are broader and may include abdominal pain in tandem with signs and symptoms of pancreatic endocrine and exocrine insufficiency. An understanding of the initial insult, proper classification, and prognosis are all factors that are of paramount importance as it pertains to managing patients who are afflicted with this disease. Our review delves into the depths of pancreatitis by exploring the embryology and anatomy of the pancreas, the pathophysiology and etiology of acute and chronic pancreatitis, and the medical and surgical management of acute and chronic pancreatitis.

Laparoscopic pancreatic neck transection and double pancreatico-jejunostomy, an alternative surgical approach to chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is a benign inflammatory process that results symptoms pertaining to loss of endocrine and exocrine function. Pain poses a great challenge in the management of CP and intractable pain represents the main indication for surgical intervention. Surgical options for CP ranges from pancreatic resection to pure drainage procedures. Herein, we present the case of 68 year-old female with recurrent abdominal pain due to chronic pancreatitis, who underwent successful laparoscopic pancreatic neck transection and double pancreatico-jejunostomy (duct-to-mucosa). Pre-operative imaging revealed a uniformly dilated pancreatic duct with encrusted pancreatic stone in the pancreatic head near the ampulla of Vater, with no inflammatory mass. Pre-operative laboratory work-ups were all normal. Pancreas texture was noted to be intermediate to soft. During pancreatic neck transection, there was spontaneous deviation of distal stump laterally leaving an ample space to accommodate jejunal loop. PD measured 8 mm. The standard duct to mucosa double layer simple interrupted suture was used for PJ anastomosis. There were no significant intra-operative events. No transfusion was required. Total operation time was 297 minutes, and it took 129 minutes for laparoscopic PJ completion. Immediate post-operative course was unremarkable. This case suggests laparoscopic double PJ can be an alternative surgical approach to reduce the pancreatic duct pressure in chronic pancreatitis. Based on accumulating experiences, long-term outcome also needs to be investigated to address potential role of this technique.

Management of pain in chronic pancreatitis with emphasis on exogenous pancreatic enzymes

One of the most challenging issues arising in patients with chronic pancreatitis is the management of abdominal pain. Many competing theories exist to explain pancreatic pain including ductal hypertension from strictures and stones, increased interstitial pressure from glandular fibrosis, pancreatic neuritis, and ischemia. This clinical problem is superimposed on a background of reduced enzyme secretion and altered feedback mechanisms. Throughout history, investigators have used these theories to devise methods to combat chronic pancreatic pain including: Lifestyle measures, antioxidants, analgesics, administration of exogenous pancreatic enzymes, endoscopic drainage procedures, and surgical drainage and resection procedures. While the value of each modality has been debated over the years, pancreatic enzyme therapy remains a viable option. Enzyme therapy restores active enzymes to the small bowel and targets the altered feedback mechanism that lead to increased pancreatic ductal and tissue pressures, ischemia, and pain. Here, we review the mechanisms and treatments for chronic pancreatic pain with a specific focus on pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. We also discuss different approaches to overcoming a lack of clinical response update ideas for studies needed to improve the clinical use of pancreatic enzymes to ameliorate pancreatic pain.