RETROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON TROPICAL CHRONIC PANCREATITIS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF EASTERN INDIA

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic pancreatitis is an universal disease and the presentation is quite variable in different parts of India. Tropical chronic pancreatitis is a type of chronic pancreatitis which is benign but incurable, progressive, and debilitating that destroys both
exocrine and endocrine system and quality of life by itself and its complications. Not restricted to tropics with a genetic predisposition; It affects younger age group from poor socio-economic background, non-alcoholic and with no gall stone disease. Most common
presentation is abdominal pain.
AIM OF THE STUDY: In the present study we describe the clinical, demographic profiles and management of patients with TCP in a tertiary health care centre of eastern India.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is a retrospective observational study. Patient’s records from various surgical units of department of surgery and surgical gastroenterology from June 2018 to May 2023 were taken. A total of 137 patients got selected from 162 number of chronic pancreatitis patients from records of various surgical units of department of surgery for a span of 5 years.
RESULTS: Mean age was around 21-30 years, Male/Female ratio was 7:3, of lower socioeconomic status (53%). Pain was the most common symptom (98%), followed by diabetes (11%) which was insulin requiring and ketosis resistant, jaundice (4%), pseudocyst of
pancreas (5%) of the cases, respectively. Some patients were also presented with left side portal hypertension. Most of the patients were having history of pain abdomen for more than 5 years with repeated hospitalization for severe pain abdomen. Pain relief was satisfactory after Frey’s procedure. Radiological findings were atrophy of pancreas (73%) with dilated pancreatic duct (62%) and pancreatic calcification and ductal calculi especially in the pancreatic head (60%).
CONCLUSION: Intractable pain was the most common indication for surgery and Frey’s procedure was the most common procedure done for pain relief.