[Clinical comparison on the classical versus extensive Whipple's resection for adenocarcinoma of head of pancreas].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of extensive Whipple's resection to the adenocarcinoma of head of pancreas on the survival, complications, and surgical mortality.

Method: Ninety three patients who received Whipple's surgery between January 1995 and March 2003 were divided into classical group (n = 51) and extensive group (n = 42). Their short-term outcome and survival rate were compared retrospectively.

Results: The postoperative complication rate and mortality in classical group and extensive group were 19.61%/3.92% and 16.67%/2.38%, respectively. And 1- and 2- year survival rates in classical group and extensive group were 58.82%/20.59% and 63.33%/23.33%, respectively.

Conclusions: Postoperative complications and mortality will not increase in extensive Whipple's resection for adenocarcinoma of head of pancreas. However, whether extensive Whipple's resection will improve long-term survival still requires further investigation.