Considering Frey’s procedure as primary surgical management in chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic stone: A case report

Abstract

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is characterized by abdominal pain, recurrent acute pancreatitis episodes, and pancreatic fibrosis, which leads to endocrine and exocrine insufficiency. Back in 1987, Frey and Smith demonstrated pancreatic head anterior resection combined with drainage of the main pancreatic duct using pancreaticojejunostomy. A 52-year-old man complained of right upper abdominal pain for 2 weeks. MRI examination presented prominent dilatation of the left and right intrahepatic ducts, and common bile duct due to the main pancreatic duct massive dilatation, accompanied by an irregular filling defect that adhesions to the wall, suggesting pancreatic stones. The patient was diagnosed with chronic calcifying pancreatitis with pancreatic stones. Frey’s procedure was chosen as primary surgical management. When conservative therapy fails to relieve the pain from chronic pancreatitis, physicians should consider surgery as a primary intervention. We recommend Frey's procedure for chronic pancreatitis treatment because of its safety and effectiveness.