Surgery Definition – What is chronic pancreatitis?
Surgery Definition – What is chronic pancreatitis?
Chronic pancreatitis is a continuous inflammation which is characterized by irreversible morphological change with or without loss of function. The causes of chronic pancreatitis is similar to acute pancreatitis with alcohol is the most prominent cause. Chronic pancreatitis may present with unremitting epigastric pain, loss of weight and steatorrhea. There will be reduction in fat malabsorption due to reduction in lipase production which lead to steatorrhea. There will also be loss of secretion of insulin which lead to diabetes as a result of glucose intolerance. The investigation is similar to investigation for acute pancreatitis. Amylase may or may not raise duet o pancreatic burn out as a result of extensive loss of tissue. Abdominal x ray may reveal calcific stippling or saponification while ultrasound scan and CT scan may reveal enlargement or atrophy of the gland.
The treatment of chronic pancreatitis may include stop any alcohol intake, treat insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and pancreatic enzyme replacement. Surgical treatment may include removal of the pancreatic duct stones, partial pancreatectomy of body and tail, sphincteroplasty of pancreatic duct opening or total pancreatectomy.
Chronic pancreatitis is a continuous inflammation which is characterized by irreversible morphological change with or without loss of function. The causes of chronic pancreatitis is similar to acute pancreatitis with alcohol is the most prominent cause. Chronic pancreatitis may present with unremitting epigastric pain, loss of weight and steatorrhea. There will be reduction in fat malabsorption due to reduction in lipase production which lead to steatorrhea. There will also be loss of secretion of insulin which lead to diabetes as a result of glucose intolerance. The investigation is similar to investigation for acute pancreatitis. Amylase may or may not raise duet o pancreatic burn out as a result of extensive loss of tissue. Abdominal x ray may reveal calcific stippling or saponification while ultrasound scan and CT scan may reveal enlargement or atrophy of the gland.
The treatment of chronic pancreatitis may include stop any alcohol intake, treat insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and pancreatic enzyme replacement. Surgical treatment may include removal of the pancreatic duct stones, partial pancreatectomy of body and tail, sphincteroplasty of pancreatic duct opening or total pancreatectomy.