Surgery for chronic pancreatitis in Finland is rare but seems to produce good long-term results

BACKGROUND: Abdominal pain in chronic pancreatitis (CP) may require invasive interventions. Surgical procedures are rare, and little is known about the long-term results. AIM: To study the nationwide frequency of pancreatic surgery for CP in Finland, and postoperative symptoms and quality of life (QoL). METHODS: All patients in Finland with a diagnosis of CP who had undergone pancreatic surgery during 2000-2008 were selected from a national register. Only patients with CP as an indication for pancreatic surgery were included. Medical records were studied and questionnaires QLQ-C30, PAN26 and AUDIT, and symptom questionnaires were sent out. RESULTS: During the 9-year period, pancreatic surgery for CP was performed on 30 patients [77% men, median age 45 (21-62) years]. Eighty-three percent underwent endoscopic procedures before surgery. Surgery was performed a median 2 (0-10) years after the original CP diagnosis, and 17% developed postoperative complications. Primary pain relief after surgery was reported in 70% of cases. Need for strong pain medication was lower after surgery. Eight of 21 (38%) returned the questionnaires and 88% reported that surgery had reduced their pain and 63% were almost or entirely pain-free at a median 14 (10-18) years after surgery. QoL results did not differ from those in our control Finnish CP group. CONCLUSION: Surgery for CP is rare in Finland and most patients had prior endoscopic procedures. Patients who returned the questionnaires reported less pain and good QoL during the 14-year follow-up.