Results of Palliative Operations for Carcinoma of the Pancreas

The records of 101 consecutive patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas indicated that diagnostic, palliative, and potentially curative operations were all associated with a high operative mortality. Relief of symptoms was accomplished in 53% of patients surviving palliative operations, 78% surviving chemical splanchnicectomy, and 67% surviving pancreaticoduodenectomy. Palliative biliary and gastric decompression did not significantly prolong survival. "Curative" pancreaticoduodenectomy, while it failed to effect a cure, provided the best method of palliation.