RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore and evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of surgical treatment for cancer of the pancreatic head.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 96 patients with cancer of the pancreatic head admitted in our hospital from January 2002 to December 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. pancreatoduodenectomy was performed in 48 cases, extended pancreatoduodenectomy in 30 cases, and Roux-Y cholangiojejunostomy in 18 cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 1, 2 and 3-year survival rates were 59.2%, 41.8% and 13.2%, respectively, in the patients treated with pancreatoduodenectomy, and 73.2%, 58.2% and 24.1%, respectively, in the patients treated with extended pancreatoduodenectomy. The 1, 2 and 3-year survival rates were 36.8%, 15.8% and 5.3%, respectively, in the patients with unresectable tumor who received radiotherapy and (or) chemotherapy in Roux-Y cholangiojejunostomy. The postoperative morbidity was 29.2%, 30.0% and 27.8% in the patients treated with pancreatoduodenectomy, extended pancreatoduodenectomy and Roux-Y cholangiojejunostomy, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Pancreatoduodenectomy is the most effective treatment. Extended pancreatoduodenectomy can improve the surgical resection rate, reduce the recurrence rate and improve the survival rate. Internal drainage is an important palliative measure.</p>