Resection for chronic alcoholic pancreatitis.

Nineteen patients with chronic alcoholic pancreatitis have been followed up for 7 to 81 months (mean 45 months) since resection for the relief of pain. Five had distal pancreatectomy, three had a Whipple resection, seven had 75% pancreatectomy and four had total pancreatectomy. Pain was completely relieved in all patients after total pancreatectomy and in four patients after 75% pancreatectomy. Recurrent acute pancreatitis was frequent after distal pancreatectomy. Alcoholism recurred in six patients. Steatorrhea was noted grossly in 14 patients after operation. It was corrected by enzyme replacement. All patients had long-term weight gain, except one who had undergone a Whipple resection. Diabetes developed in one patient who underwent 75% pancreatectomy, in one after distal pancreatectomy and in all patients who underwent total pancreatectomy; management of the diabetes was complicated by heavy alcohol consumption in one patient who underwent total pancreatectomy.