Incidence of benign inflammatory disease in patients undergoing Whipple procedure for clinically suspected carcinoma: a single-institution experience.

Background: We evaluated the incidence of chronic pancreatitis and chronic bile duct inflammation in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for suspected periampullary cancer.

Methods: Differences between clinical presentation, surgical management, and outcomes were compared between patients with malignancy and benign inflammatory disease.

Results: The incidence of chronic inflammatory disease was 12.9% (21/162). Patients with chronic inflammatory disease were associated with a higher incidence of smoking (75.0% versus 64.7%) and chronic alcohol use (66.7% versus 46.2%). Jaundice was significantly more frequent in patients with malignant disease (83.6% versus 42.9%, P < .05). Surgery for chronic inflammatory disease was associated with significantly more intraoperative bleeding (P < .05).

Conclusions: The finding of chronic inflammatory disease after PD for suspected carcinoma is justifiable because (1) none of the available diagnostic modalities are infallible, (2) early treatment of pancreatic cancer is crucial for achieving cure, and (3) PD may relieve clinical symptoms in patients with chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer.