Pancreatic duct stones and complicated pancreatic cancer

Objective To improve the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic duct stones and complicated pancreatic cancer. Methods The clinical data of 43 patients with pancreatic duct stones including 8 with complicated pancreatic cancer treated in our hospital from 1979 to 2000 were retrospectively analyzed. Results The major types of the disease were alcoholic pancreatitis and malnutrition pancreatitis and their percentages were 32 6% and 44%, respectively. The main clinical manifestations included abdominal pain, back pain as well as exocrine and endocrine functional disturbances. If symptoms aggravated, severe back pain and jaundice appeared, space occupying pancreatic lesions were showed by B US and CT and serum CEA level increased, pancreatic cancer should be considered. Conclusions The optimal approach for this disease is pancreatic duct jejunum side to side anastomosis. If there was not thorough elimination of the head stones, complication of jaundice or postoperative pain relapse, resection of the pancreatic head would be necessary. If there was complication of pancreatic cancer, pancreticoduodenectomy or pancreatic body tail resection should be performed.