Histopathological Changes in Liver of Patients With Chronic Pancreatitis Requiring Surgical Intervention and Their Clinical Significance.

OBJECTIVES: The histopathological changes in the liver and their clinical implication in chronic pancreatitis (CP) have not been studied well. We analyzed the incidence, risk factors, and long-term outcomes of these changes in CP.

METHODS: Chronic pancreatitis patients who underwent surgery with intraoperative liver biopsy from 2012 to 2018 formed the study group. Based on liver histopathology, 3 groups were formed: normal liver, group NL; fatty liver, group FL; and inflammation/fibrosis, group FS. The risk factors and long-term outcomes, including mortality, were evaluated.

RESULTS: Among 73 patients, 39 (53.4%) had idiopathic, and 34 (46.6%) had alcoholic CP. The median age was 32 years, 52 (71.2%) were males and comprised NL, n = 40 (55%); FL, n = 22 (30%); and FS, n = 11 (15%). The preoperative risk factors were comparable among NL and FL groups. Overall 14 of 73 patients (19.2%) (NL, 5 of 40; FL, 5 of 22; FS, 4 of 11 [P = 0.82]) had died at median follow-up of 36 months (range, 25-85 months). The main causes of mortality were tuberculosis and severe malnutrition secondary to pancreatic insufficiency.

CONCLUSIONS: The mortality is higher in patients with inflammation/fibrosis or steatosis in liver biopsy, and such patients need monitoring for progression of liver disease and pancreatic insufficiency.