Short- and long-term outcome of Frey procedure for chronic pancreatitis in adults

Objective: To report our experience with Frey procedure (FP) for chronic pancreatitis (CP) in adults. Methods: Adult patients with CP, who underwent a FP between August 2007 and July 2018, were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Of the total 138 patients, 95 (69%) were male. The median age at operation was 36.5 years. The median pain-surgery interval was 48 months. Alcohol abuse was identified in 64 (46%) patients. The major indication for surgery was disabling pain (94%). There was no postoperative mortality. Postoperative complications developed in 43 (31%) patients. Median postoperative hospital stay was 9 days. Over a median follow-up of 65 months, 84% of patients had complete pain relief. Continuous pain and high preoperative Izbicki pain score were associated with incomplete pain control. New-onset diabetes and exocrine insufficiency developed in 31% and 27% of patients respectively. Longer duration of disease and previous pancreatic surgery were associated with the development of new-onset diabetes after the FP. Conclusions: Frey procedure is safe with an acceptable perioperative complications and good long-term pain control. (c) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.