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

Abstract 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.