Pace Hospitals | Best Hospitals in Hyderabad, Telangana, India

Blog Post

Successful Frey’s Procedure in a 22-Year-Old Male with Chronic Pancreatitis, Pancreatic Duct Disruption, and Pseudocyst

Pace Hospitals

PACE Hospitals' Gastroenterology team successfully performed a Frey's procedure on a 22-year-old male with chronic pancreatitis with Pancreatic duct (PD) disruption and pseudocyst.


A 22-year-old male patient with complaints of recurrent pain in the abdomen since childhood was presented to the consultant surgical gastroenterologist, Dr. Phani Krishna Ravula, at PACE Hospitals, Hitech City, Hyderabad.

Medical History

Delving deeper, it was understood that the patient had been suffering from recurrent pain in the abdomen since childhood. He underwent a Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) abdomen suggestive of chronic calcific pancreatitis with exophytic Walled-Off Pancreatic Necrosis (WOPN) arising from the proximal body of the pancreas with proximal Main Pancreatic Duct (MPD) communication. He also underwent Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) suggestive of chronic calcific pancreatitis with a pseudocyst, which led to his admission to the PACE Hospitals for additional care and management.

Diagnosis

Upon being admitted to PACE Hospitals and after a thorough history and physical examination, as well as evaluation of diagnostic investigations, the patient was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis associated with Pancreatic duct (PD) disruption and pseudocyst.


The patient has been diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis, which is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes irreversible damage to pancreatic tissue and disrupts exocrine and endocrine functioning, leading to symptoms like pancreatic insufficiency, steatorrhea, and weight loss.

Treatment

After consultation with the consultant surgical gastroenterologist, and liver transplant surgeon - Dr. Phani Krishna Ravula, it was determined that Frey’s procedure was the most effective method of treating the patient.


Frey's procedure is a surgical approach for treating chronic pancreatitis that involves removing damaged pancreatic head portions while leaving the common bile duct and duodenum the same. The goal is to decompress the pancreatic ductal system and enhance pancreatic head drainage.

Procedure

After the necessary investigations were done and clearances were obtained, Frey’s procedure was performed on the patient. The surgeon noticed that the patient's pancreas was damaged and softer than normal, with a disruption in its proximal part. This injury caused the formation of a 4x5 cm pseudocyst (a fluid-filled sac). Furthermore, there were several stones (calculi) in the pancreas and the major pancreatic duct (MPD), which could restrict or obstruct the flow of pancreatic secretions. The MPD was also broader than usual (6 mm), indicating a degree of obstruction or disruption. These findings explained the patient's persistent pain and problems from chronic pancreatitis.

Aftermath

The post-operative period was uneventful. The patient was given intravenous antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors, analgesics, IV fluids, and other supportive medication to manage any immediate post-operative needs.


Post-surgery, the patient was initiated on a liquid diet on post-operative day (POD 2). He underwent ultrasound sonography (USG) screening on post operative day 6, which showed no collection, and the drain was removed. The patient was discharged in a hemodynamically stable condition and by providing him enough information about drug usage and disease management.


While discharging, he was prescribed proton pump inhibitors, opioid analgesics, laxatives, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and digestive enzymes and advised to take wound care.


The patient was also instructed to contact PACE Hospitals' emergency room/ causality at once in case of fever, abdomen pain, and vomiting. 


After one week, the patient was asked to get a review by Dr. Phani Krishna Ravula about the status.

Benefits of the FREY’s Procedure in Chronic Pancreatitis

The Frey’s procedure is gradually being recognized as an effective surgical option for individuals with chronic pancreatitis, particularly in comparison to other surgical procedures.


One of the most important benefits of the Frey procedure is its high rate of pain reduction. According to studies, up to 92% of patients get significant pain relief after the procedure, which is significantly greater than outcomes linked with alternative surgical options such as pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) or the Puestow method.


Unlike more complex procedures, such as pancreatoduodenectomy (PD), which frequently results in substantial endocrine and exocrine dysfunction, the Frey technique is meant to preserve pancreatic function. In general, the Frey procedure has fewer complications than other surgical approaches. According to studies, major complications occur in about 11.5% of cases, which is much lower than the complication rates associated with pancreatoduodenectomy, which frequently exceeds 20%. Furthermore, the typical hospital stay following a Frey surgery averages around seven days, illustrating its less invasive nature and faster recovery time compared to more extensive surgeries.

Request an appointment

Fill in the appointment form or call us instantly to book a confirmed appointment with our super specialist at 04048486868

Appointment request - health articles

Case study of A 31 YO male from Sudan received successful kidney stone treatment  at PACE Hospitals
By Pace Hospitals February 12, 2025
Explore the case study of A 31-year-old male from Sudan received successful kidney stone treatment with URS, PCNL, and DJ stenting at PACE Hospitals in Hyderabad, restoring his pain-free life.
what is bladder cancer​ | Bladder cancer Causes & Symptoms | Bladder cancer treatment in India
By Pace Hospitals February 11, 2025
Bladder cancer affects the urinary bladder, causing urinary symptoms and complications. Learn about its types, causes, symptoms, risks, diagnosis, treatment & prevention.
International Epilepsy Day, 10 Feb, 2025 | Theme, History & Importance
By Pace Hospitals February 10, 2025
International Epilepsy Day is a global healthcare event celebrated on the 2nd Monday of February every year since 2015; intending to bring together the patients suffering from epilepsy and create a community in which the awareness of its epidemiological profile, the condition, its diagnosis and treatment is discussed.
symptoms of colon cancer | what is colon cancer​ |  colon cancer treatment in India
By Pace Hospitals February 10, 2025
Colon cancer starts in the large intestine, affecting the colon or rectum. Learn about its types, causes, risks, symptoms, complications, diagnosis, treatment & prevention.
Case study of a 64-year-old woman’s successful breast cancer treatment at PACE Hospitals, Hyderabad
By Pace Hospitals February 10, 2025
Explore the case study of a 64-year-old woman’s successful breast cancer treatment at PACE Hospitals with quadrantectomy and lymph node excision, ensuring a smooth recovery.
Throat cancer Symptoms & Causes | Throat cancer treatment in India | signs of throat cancer
By Pace Hospitals February 10, 2025
Throat cancer affects the larynx and pharynx, causing speech and swallowing issues. Learn about its types, causes, risks, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment & prevention.
Podcast with Dr. Seshi Janjirala on  Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) from PACE Hospitals, Hyderabad
By Pace Hospitals February 7, 2025
Tune into the PACE Hospitals Podcast with Dr. Seshi Janjirala as he delves into Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS), exploring its key symptoms, risk factors, complications and the latest treatment options available.
Case study of a 49-Y/O male with recurrent papillary thyroid cancer treated at PACE Hospitals, Hyd
By Pace Hospitals February 4, 2025
A case study from PACE Hospitals, Hyderabad on a 49-year-old male with recurrent thyroid cancer who underwent bilateral functional block dissection, a precise surgical approach to eliminate cancerous lymph nodes and enhance recovery.
Difference between heart attack and cardiac attack | heart attack and cardiac attack difference
By Pace Hospitals February 4, 2025
Discover the vital disparities between cardiac arrest & heart attack, understanding symptoms, causes, & life-saving measures. Explore now!
Show More

Share by: