DUODENUM-PRESERVING PANCREATIC HEAD RESECTION FOR CHRONIC PANCREATITIS, BENIGN AND PREMALIGNANT TUMORS OF THE PANCREAS

Objective. To report the institutional experience of the evolution of duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (DPPHR) as a surgical treatment for chronic pancreatitis with an inflammatory tumor as well as cystic and benign, premalignant neoplasms and neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreatic head. Methods. DPPHR is associated with preservation of gastric antrum, common bile duct and duodenum/upper jejunal loop, contrary to Kausch-Whipple resection, which is a multivisceral procedure, including duodenectomy. Duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection was first established in clinical setting in Berlin in 1969. Results. For chronic pancreatitis with an inflammatory infiltrat in the pancreatic head, duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection has become a standard surgical treatment with worldwide acceptance. In a series of 603 patients with chronic pancreatitis following DPPHR, the frequency of pancreatic fistula was 3.3 %, intra-abdominal abscess 2.8 %, hemorrhage 2.8 %, frequency of reoperation 5.6%, in-hospital mortality 0.82 % and 90-day rehospitalisation 8 %. DPPHR for benign and premalignant cystic neoplasms of the pancreatic head is used predominantly for IPMN, MCN and SPN tumors. In a review of international publications comprising 503 patients, the general morbidity was 38.2 %, severe surgery-related complications 12.7% of them pancreatic fistula B+C 13.6 %, resurgery 2.7 % and 90-day mortality 0.4 %. When pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors of pancreatic head are treated with DPPHR, a local lymph node dissection is additionally recommended. The long-term morbidity following DPPHR revealed new onset of diabetes mellitus and exocrine dysfunctions in only 5-7 % of patients. Conclusion. Kausch-Whipple resection is associated with considerable high metabolic complications. Duodenum-sparing pancreatic head resection for inflammatory tumor, benign and premalignant neoplasms, and neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreatic head has the advantage of the duodenum preservation and maintenance of the pancreatic endocrine and exocrine functions.