[The Frey operation: a valuable enrichment of therapeutic possibilities of chronic calcifying pancreatitis].

Frey's duodenum-preserving resection is one of three techniques of conservative surgery for the relief of pain in chronic calcifying pancreatitis of the pancreatic head described since 1985 [2, 3, 7]. In our view Frey's procedure is the most satisfactory of the three techniques. It does not require transsection of the pancreas and is suitable to deal with ductal stenoses and stones not only in the pancreatic head but also in the body and tail of the pancreas. We have been impressed by the quality of pain relief obtained and by the smoothness of the postoperative course following this operation. Duodenum-preserving resection of the pancreatic head is greatly facilitated by the use of the ultrasonic dissector which permits dissection in a nearly bloodless field and is particularly suitable for achieving decompression of the intrapancreatic part of the common bile duct by dissecting anyway fibrosed and calcified tissue. The techniques of duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas are based on principles which have stood the test of time. They have, however, been introduced only a few years ago, and their role in the treatment of severe pain associated with chronic pancreatitis yet awaits more precise definition.