Extended Partington procedure for chronic pancreatitis: one-year follow-up results

Over half of the patients who underwent the Partington procedure for painful chronic pancreatitis developed recurrent pain attacks. This occurs because the proximal ducts at the head of the pancreas, often containing stones, are left undrained. To overcome this pitfall, an extended Partington procedure is recommended. To assess our one-year follow-up results of the extended Partington procedure in patients with painful chronic pancreatitis. This prospective study comprises patients undergoing extended Partington procedures who were followed for at least one year. Data were collected preoperatively and postoperatively in a fixed-interval fashion at three months, six months, and one year. Thirty-one patients underwent assessment. At one-year follow-up, effective and complete pain relief was achieved in 81% and 55% of patients, respectively. The Izbicki pain score decreased significantly; the median dropped from 47.5 to 4.4. The quality of life using SF-12 physical and mental component summary improved significantly; the medians increased from 41.7 to 93.8, and 47.5 to 86.7, respectively. Endocrine function remained stable. Exocrine insufficiency developed in most patients as a natural progression of chronic pancreatitis. Two patients had complications directly related to surgical procedures (6%). No early postoperative deaths occurred. Extended Partington procedure for chronic pancreatitis results in excellent pain relief and quality of life improvement, with a low morbidity rate, and does not worsen pancreatic function. It should replace the original Partington procedure in treating painful chronic pancreatitis.