Surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis by distal pancreatectomy.

No consensus exists on the best surgical treatment for chronic pancreatitis. In a retrospective study on 29 patients it was found that pain caused by chronic pancreatitis can be treated effectively by a 95% DP or a 40-80% DP. However, after a 40-80% DP the incidence of endocrine and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is less frequent than after a 95% DP. Therefore, distal pancreatectomy can be advised as a treatment of pain, caused by chronic pancreatitis. In order to minimize the chance of pancreatic insufficiency resection should be done as conservatively as possible.