Surgical management of cysts of the head of the pancreas.

Thirty patients with cysts of the cephalic portion of the pancreas treated by operation between 1966 and 1980 were reviewed to determine whether any variation existed from the usual treatment of cysts of the body and tail of the gland. Sixteen patients had chronic pancreatitis, six had acute pancreatitis, four had cysts of indeterminate causes, three had adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, and in one patient a cyst developed after external trauma. External drainage was used in 14 patients, internal drainage in ten patients, and combinations of cyst drainage and anastomosis of Wirsung's duct or resection were performed in six patients. No operative deaths occurred, and the rate of cyst recurrence was minimal. Diabetes mellitus developed in 40% of patients with chronic pancreatitis despite conservative management. Recurrent pain in 13 patients and the discovery of associated carcinoma in one patient at initial treatment and later in two others cast doubt on the usefulness of simple internal or external drainage of cysts for pain except in a setting of acute pancreatitis. Resection of the pancreatic head or drainage of dilated pancreatic ducts should more often be carried out in the primary treatment of cephalic cysts with pain due to chronic pancreatitis.