Chronic pancreatitis is chronic inflammation of pancreas that clinically presents as

– Pain – after meals and radiating to back

– Oily, foul-smelling stools that float in the pan

– Diabetes mellitus that often needs injection insulin for control

Common causes of chronic pancreatitis include:

– excessive consumption of alcohol over long periods

– In India, chronic calcific pancreatitis

– Sequalae of acute pancreatitis

Endoscopic

Advantage: Less invasive as compared to surgery

Disadvantage: Needs repeated interventions/visits to hospital

Majority of patients will eventually need surgery

Surgery

Advantage: Single intervention – long lasting pain relief

Disadvantage: More invasive as compared to endoscopy

Pancreatic Duct Drainage procedures

Lateral Pancreatojejunostomy (LPJ)

Frey’s Procedure (Head coring)

Pancreatic Resection

Whipple’s Procedure

Beger’s Procedure