Duodenal obstruction due to chronic pancreatitis of the pancreas tail treated by surgical intervention: A case report

RATIONALE: Duodenal obstruction (DO) sometimes induces the groove pancreatitis. However, the case of DO due to chronic pancreatitis in pancreas tail (CPPT) is extremely rare. Therefore, the managements of DO caused by CPPT have not been established yet. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 68-year-old man, who was under the treatment of chronic pancreatitis, presented to our hospital with nausea and abdominal pain. He was diagnosed as DO caused by CPPT. The Conservative treatment, including the nasogastric aspiration and intravenous infusion under the absence of food, was performed. The drainage fluid from naso-gastric tube had been more than 2000 ml per a day although continuing treatment for 14 days. Hence, we decided that the conservative therapy was failed and the surgical intervention was required. DIAGNOSIS: Computed tomography showed gastroduodenal expansion due to stenosis at the horizontal portion of the duodenum with increasing pancreatic pseudocyst. The contrast radiography of the duodenum showed severe stenosis around Treitz ligament. His pre-surgical diagnosis was DO due to CPPT through exclusion of other etiologies for DO such as annular pancreas, SMA syndrome, duodenal diaphragm and Crohn disease. INTERVENTION: Spleen preserving distal pancreatectomy (Warshaw operation) was performed with gastrojejunostomy. During surgery, marked redness and thickness of the mesenteric serosa around Treiz ligament were observed. His surgical findings were supported our preoperative prediction. OUTCOMES: The patient was successfully treated and discharged uneventfully after postoperative day 14. At the 9 months follow-up visit, the patient is still doing well without any symptoms. CONCLUSION: Combination of gastrojejunostomy and Warshaw operation is one of the ideal surgical procedures for patients of DO due to CPPT.