Outcome of Freys Procedure for Chronic Pancreatitis

Background: Chronic pancreatitis is a progressive inflammatory disorder characterized by irreversible destruction of pancreatic parenchyma and may be associated with disabling chronic pain and permanent loss of endocrine and exocrine function. Abdominal pain is the most debilitating feature and is often refractory to treatment. Main indication for surgery is intractable abdominal pain and choosing the best technique to be used for a patient remains a challenge. The objective of this study was to analyze surgical safety along with short-and long-term outcomes of Frey?s procedure for patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis. Objective: To analyze surgical safety along with short-and long-term outcomes of Frey?s procedure for patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis. Material & Methods: A total of 18 patients with intractable abdominal pain underwent Frey?s Procedure over a period of one year. Demographics, intraoperative findings, perioperative outcomes, and short-and long-time outcomes were analyzed. Results: Total of 18 patients (age ranged 20-40, male-12, female-6) underwent Frey?s procedure in the study period. Out of this, 4 were alcoholic while (14), (77.8%) were nonalcoholic. Intractable pain was present in all cases along with pseudocyst in three and pseudoaneurysm in one case. The mean preoperative Izbicki scores were 53.4 ? 17.6. Six patients had diabetes and two patients had steatorrhea. Major complications were seen in (3) 16.6% of cases while mortality was in one patient. The median duration of the hospital stay was seven days. Over a median follow up of 3 months there were significantly lower pain scores postoperatively and 92% were pain-free. Only one new case of diabetes developed postoperatively. Conclusion: Frey's procedure was a safe and effective therapeutic option for the surgical treatment of patients with intractable pain caused by chronic pancreatitis.