Bachmann K, Melling N, Groteluschen R, et al. - Researchers aimed at determining the clinicopathologic findings in chronic pancreatitis that may aid in identifying patients who may benefit most from surgical treatment, especially in regard to pain relief. They assessed 1,146 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for chronic pancreatitis. Overall 79.8% had pain relief after surgery. Following were identified as strong independent prognostic factors for pain relief: the presence of an inflammatory mass in the pancreatic head larger than 4 cm, presence of a dilated main pancreatic duct of over 4 mm, histopathologically detected severe calcifications and severe fibrosis as well as ethanol induced disease. The commonly employed procedures can be conducted with acceptable morbidity and mortality in these patients. Based on findings, they suggest the Chronic Pancreatitis Pain Relief Score as valuable for determining patients who will benefit most from surgery.