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Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 10/2014

01-10-2014 | Review Article

Systematic Review of Early Surgery for Chronic Pancreatitis: Impact on Pain, Pancreatic Function, and Re-intervention

Authors: Catherine J. Yang, Lindsay A. Bliss, Emily F. Schapira, Steven D. Freedman, Sing Chau Ng, John A. Windsor, Jennifer F. Tseng

Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery | Issue 10/2014

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Abstract

Background

Surgical intervention has traditionally been reserved as the last management option for pain in chronic pancreatitis. Recently, there has been a call for surgery to be offered earlier in the disease process. The objectives of this review were to evaluate the effect of early surgery on postoperative pain, pancreatic function, and re-intervention rates in chronic pancreatitis.

Methods

A systematic literature search through EMBASE, Cochrane Review, and PubMed from January 1950 to January 2014 was conducted. Citations found in relevant papers are hand-searched. Data which could be pooled were analyzed using Revman (v5.2). Risk of bias analysis was conducted.

Results

Of the 2,886 potentially eligible studies identified, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. There was large heterogeneity in the study designs, and studies were conducted over a lengthy time span. Seven studies examined pain, three studies examined pancreatic function, and three studies examined rates of re-intervention. Meta-analysis of the three studies with comparative raw data regarding complete pain relief showed that early surgery was associated with an increased likelihood of complete postoperative pain relief (RR = 1.67, 95 % CI 1.09–2.56, p = 0.02). Early surgery was also associated with reduced risk of pancreatic insufficiency and low re-intervention rates.

Conclusions

Data from this study supports considering early surgery for pain management in patients with chronic pancreatitis, with the potential of a reduced risk of pancreatic insufficiency and the need for further intervention. Further prospective randomized studies are warranted comparing early surgery against conservative step-up approaches.
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Metadata
Title
Systematic Review of Early Surgery for Chronic Pancreatitis: Impact on Pain, Pancreatic Function, and Re-intervention
Authors
Catherine J. Yang
Lindsay A. Bliss
Emily F. Schapira
Steven D. Freedman
Sing Chau Ng
John A. Windsor
Jennifer F. Tseng
Publication date
01-10-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery / Issue 10/2014
Print ISSN: 1091-255X
Electronic ISSN: 1873-4626
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-014-2571-8

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