Pancreatic stones are not uncommon, as many as 30% of the people that suffer with pancreatic problems will develop this disease. The stones block the duct of pancreas and prevent this organ from releasing the enzymes needed for food digestion. The pancreas also creates insulin needed to control the blood sugar levels in the body, and if this hormone isn’t released into the body properly, it can lead to diabetes.
They present with either severe upper abdominal pain radiating to back requiring narcotic analgesics, or may present as diabetes or foul smelling loose sticky stools called steatorrhoea.
Frey's procedure is a surgical technique used in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis in which the diseased portion of the pancreas head is cored out. A lateral pancreaticojejunostomy (LPJ) is then performed in which a loop of the jejunum is then mobilized and attached over the exposed pancreatic duct to allow better drainage of the pancreas, including its head.
Post surgery, abdominal pain is completely relieved, pancreatic atrophy is halted, diabetes comes under control as insulin starts releasing in the circulation and steatorrhea comes under control. It needs to be done by an experienced surgeon with good surgical and intensive care back up.