Volume 13, Issue 1
Original Article / Published: September 2025
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.57045/jemis/1310925.pp44-51
El-Tal L.
Acibadem City Clinic Tokuda Hospital, Sofia, Department of liver, biliary, pancreatic and general surgery
Abstract
Introduction: Today, chronic pancreatitis is a well-studied disease. Geographical distribution depends on social and geographical factors. The most common etiological factors are alcohol consumption and smoking. Genetic predisposition in familial cases is linked to gene mutations. As the disease progresses, exocrine dysfunction and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus may occur. Chronic inflammation of the pancreatic parenchyma is associated with a higher incidence of pancreatic cancer. Surgical treatment is indicated in cases of associated chronic pain syndrome, complications, pancreatic tumors. In practice, two main surgical approaches have been introduced to improve the patienta’s condition – internal ductal drainage, resection and combinations between them.
The aim of the study: Evaluation of the different pathomorphological changes in chronic pancreatitis, its complications and different surgical approaches.
Material and method: A literature review of the various changes in the pancreas, complications associated with chronic pancreatitis, difficulties in diagnosis and surgical approaches. Discussion: In its progression, chronic pancreatitis leads to the appearance of various changes in the pancreatic gland, surrounding tissues and organs. It may be associated with a difficult differential diagnosis with pancreatic tumors, complicated peptic ulcer disease, vascular anomalies. Changes in the pancreatic duct associated with chronic pancreatitis are common. Dilatation of the main pancreatic duct associated with chronic pain syndrome is indicated for surgical decompression with very good results in pain resolution in association with preservation of pancreatic function. Pseudotumor changes in the gland are often difficult to distinguish from pancreatic tumors and complicated duodenal ulcer with penetration of the pancreatic head. The best way of treatment in these cases is resection surgery
References
1.Gukovskaya AS, Mouria M, Gukovsky I, Reyes CN, Kasho VN, Faller LD, Pandol SJ. Ethanol metabolism and transcription factor activation in pancreatic acinar cells in rats. Gastroenterology. 2002;122:106–118
2. Marinov V, Gaidarski R, Draganov K. Some aspects of the Ethiology and Pathogenesis of Chronic Pancreatitis. Khirurgia. 2011 N1;12-21
3. Talukdar R, Saikia N, Singal DK, Tandon R. Chronic pancreatitis:evolving paradigms. Pancreatology. 2006;6:440–449.
4. Haber PS, Apte MV, Applegate TL, Norton ID, Korsten MA, Pirola RC, Wilson JS. Metabolism of ethanol by rat pancreatic acinar cells. J Lab Clin Med. 1998;132:294–302.
5. Nista E, De Lucia S, Manilla V, Schepis T, Pellegrino A et al. Autoimmune pancreatitis: From pathogenesis to treatment. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Oct 21;23(20):12667. doi: 10.3390/ijms232012667.
6. Matos C, Bali MA, Delhaye M, Deviere J. Magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of pancreatitis and pancreatic neoplasms. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2006;20:157–178.
7. Lee JK, Kim H, Park CK, Jung J, Kim DJ, Chung YJ, Ryus HJ. Morphological advantages of endoscopic treatment in obstructive chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatology. 2020 Mar;20(2):199-204. doi: 10.1016/j.pan.2019.12.016. Epub 2019 Dec 19.
8. Raphael K, Willingham F. Hereditary pancreatitis: current perspectives. Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2016 Jul 26:9:197-207. doi: 10.2147/CEG.S84358.
9. Rivera E, Chug A, Cordova J, Young S. Hereditary pancreatitis. Pediatr Ann. 2016 Feb;45(2):e50-3. Doi: 10.3928/00904481-20160115-01.
10. Mohan V, Premalatha G, Pitchhumoni CS. Tropical chronic pancreatitis. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2003 Apr;36(4):337-46.
11. Barman KK, Premalatha G, Mohan V. Tropical chronic pancreatitis. Postgrad Med J. 2003;79:606–615.
12. Marinov V, Draganov K, Gaydarski R et al. Complications and emergency conditions in chronic pancreatitis. XIV National Congress of Surgery 2014; Book I: 390-396.
13. Ministero del Lavoro, della Salute e delle Politiche Sociali. Available online: http://www.ministerosalute.it/programmazione/ sdo/ric_informazioni/sceltadia.jsp (accessed 14 July 2009).
14. Jalleh RP, Aslam M, Williamson RC. Pancreatic tissue and ductal pressures in chronic pancreatitis. Br J Surg 78(10):1235-7, 1991
15. Beyer G, Habtezion A, Werner J, Lerch MM, Mayerle J. Chronic pancreatitis. Lancet. 2020 Aug 15;396(10249):499-512. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31318-0.
16. Lukic S, Mijac D, Filipovic B, Sokic-Milotinovic A, Tomashevic R, Kristic M, Milosavljevic T. Chronic abdominal pain: Gastroenterologist approach. Dig. Dis. 2022;40(2):181-186. doi: 10.1159/000516977. Epub 2021 May 4.
17. Tadjer Sh, Borisov Sv, Boiadjiev R, Tadjer M, Petrov St, Vanev J, Marinov V. The surgical management of the complicated pyloric-duodenal stenosis – a dilemma for the surgeon. Hepato-Gastroenterol. 2001; 48 Suppl. I p120 ISSN – 0172-6390
18. Stefanov R, Miteva-Katrandjieva Ts, Iskrov G, Damyanov D, Korukov B, Kermedchiev M, Terziev I, Madjov R, Ivanov K, Kolev N, Chenopolski P, Tsaneva M, Dimitrova V, Todorov G, Hristova
S, Tosheva E, Grozdev K, Vladov N, Mihova A, Stoyanova R, Cholakov O, Haralanov S, Draganov K, Marinov V, Radionov M, Dimitrov O, Kurtev P, Angelova E, Hadjiev B, Murdjev K, Dermendjieva T, Deliisky T, Valcheva-Petrova G, Popovska S, Julianov A, Georgiev I. Epidemiological registry of neuroendo- crine tumors in Bulgaria – a pilot survey. Surgery 2014;(4):7-13. ISSN – 0450 – 2167
19. Duval MK Jr. Caudal pancreaticojejunostomy for chronic relapsing pancreatitis. Ann Surg 1954;140:775-785.
20. Puestow CB, Gillesby WJ. Retrograde surgical drainage of pancreas for chronic relapsing pancreatitis. AMA Arch Surg 1958;76:898-907.
21. Partington PF, Rochelle RE. Modified Puestow procedure for retrograde drainage of the pancreatic duct. Ann Surg 1960;152:1037-1043.
22. Marinov V, Gaydarski R, Draganov K. The role of the surgical drainage in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis. Khirurgia. Vol.81, IV, 2015, 176-183.
23. Barry K. Chronic pancreatitis: Diagnosis and treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2018 Mar 15;97(6):385-393
24. Mahdi M, Steinkohl E, Singh V, Drewes A, Frokjaer J, Olesen S. Clinical course of medically managed patients with large and small duct chronic pancreatitis. Clin Transl Gastroenterol. 2023 Jan 1;14(1):e00537. doi: 10.14309/ctg.0000000000000537.
25. Izbicki JR, Bloechle C, Broering DC, et al. Longitudinal V-Shaped excision of the ventral pancreas for Small Duct Disease in severe chronic pancreatitis. Ann Surg. 1998;227:213–219.
26.Demir E, Safak O, Friess H, Demir IE. Pain in chronic pancreatitis: mechanics or molecules?. Pain Manag. 2020 Jul;10(4):205-208. doi: 10.2217/pmt-2020-0011.
27. Frey CF, Smith GJ. Description and rationale of a new operation for chronic pancreatitis. Pancreas 1987;2:701-707
28. Frey CF. The surgical management of chronic pancreatitis: the Frey procedure. Adv Surg 1999;32:41-85.
29. Marinov V, Gaydarski R, Draganov K, Katev N.N, Rusenov D, Borisov B, Petreska A, Kolev Y. Pancreatic anastomoses in chronical pancreatitis. In: Anastomoses in abdominal surgery. 2011, 219-228.
30. Beger HG, Krautzberger W, Bittner R, Buchler M, Limmer J. Duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas in patients with severe chronic pancreatitis. Surgery 1985; 97:467-473.
31. Whipple AO, Parsons WB, Mullins CR. Treatment of carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. Ann Surg 1935;102:763-779.
32. Traverso LW, Longmire WP Jr. Preservation of the pylorus in pancreaticoduodenectomy. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1978;146:959-962.
33. Gaydarski R, Marinov V, Radoychich M. Operative treatment of the pancreatic carcinoma, distal common bile duct and papilla Vateri. Diseases of the pancreas. Surgical treatment. 2004. P 306. ISBN: 954-8329-60-3.
34. Sawyer R, Frey CF. Is there still a role for distal pancreatectomy in surgery for chronic pancreatitis? Am J Surg 1994;168:6-9.
35. Alexakis N, Ghaneh P, Connor S, Raraty M, Sutton R, Neoptolemos JP. Duodenum- and spleen-preserving total pancreatectomy for end-stage chronic pancreatitis. Br J Surg 2003;90:1401- 1408.
36. Dumoncheau JM, Delhayne M, Tringali A, Arvanitakis M, Sanchez-Yague A, Vaysse T et al. Endoscopic treatment of chronic pancreatitis: European society of gastrointestinal endoscopiy (ESGE) guideline – updated august 2018. Endoscopy. 2019 Feb;51(2):179-193. doi: 10.1055/a-0822-0832. Epub 2019 Jan 17.
37. Marinov V, Draganov K, Gaydarski R, Katev N.N. Surgical treat- ment of chronic pancreatitis and its complications. Comparative analysis of results in 91 patients. Surgery 2013 N4; 4-10
38.Bradley EL. Long-term results of pancreatojejunostomy in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Am J Surg 1987;153:207-213.
39. Nealon WH, Thompson JC. Progressive loss of pancreatic function in chronic pancreatitis is delayed by main pancreatic duct decompression. A longitudinal prospective analysis of the modified Puestow procedure. Ann Surg 1993;217:458-468.
40. Marinov V, Draganov K, Gaydarski R, Katev N.N, Petreska A, Rusenov D, Kolev Y. Cases of pancreato-pleural fistula in patients with chronic pancreatitis – diagnostic challenges and treatment. XVII National Conference of Surgery Varna. 11-14 October 2012. 445-449.
41. Tantia O, Jindal MK, Khanna S, Sen B. Laparoscopic lateral pancreaticojejunostomy our experience of 17 cases. Surg Endosc 2004;18:1054-1057
42. Kurian MS, Gagner M. Laparoscopic side-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy (Partington-Rochelle) for chronic pancreatitis. J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Surg 1999;6:382-386.
43. Marinov V, Asenova B, Kamenova B, Daskalova E. Laparoscopic lateral pancreato-jejunostomy Partington-Rochelle. XVII Na- tional Congress of Surgery, 30.09 – 02.10.2021, Albena, Bulgaria
44. Lequeu JB, Doussot B, Facy O. Robotic longitudinal side to side pancreaticojejunostomy (Partington-Rochelle) or modified Puestow procedure) for chronic pancreatitis. J Visc Surg. 2022 Oct;159(5):436-438. doi: 10.1016/j.viscdurg.2022.05.005. Epub 2022 Sep 16.
45. Izbicki JR, Bloechle C, Broering DC, Knoefel WT, Kuechler T, Broelsch CE. Extended drainage versus resection in surgery for chronic pancreatitis: a prospective randomized trial comparing the longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy combined with local pancreatic head excision with the pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy. Ann Surg 1998;228:771-779.
46. Ykebas EF, Bogoevski D, Honarpisheh H, et al. Long-term follow-up in small duct chronic pancreatitis. A plea for extended drainage by “V-shaped excision” of the anterior aspect of the
pancreas. Ann Surg. 2006 Dec; 244(6):940-6
47. Marinov V, Draganov K, Gaydarski R et al. Technique of construction of pancreato-jejunostomy with circular suture of the pancreatic stump after proximal resection of the pancreas. XIV National Congress of Surgery. 2014; Book I: 328-332.

Keywords:
chronic pancreatitis, surgical approaches, complications
How to cite this article:
El-Tal L. Surgical therapy of chronic pancreatitis: Indications, techniques and results. Journal of Endourology and Minimally Invasive Surgery (Bulgaria), 2025; 13(1): 44-51
Corresponding author:
Dr. L. El-Tal
Clinic of Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic and General Surgery
Acibadem City Clinic Tokuda Hospital
51B Nikola Vaptsarov Blvd
e-mail: luben.eltal@gmail.com