BACKGROUND: Readmission after pancreatoduodenectomy because of tumour recurrence or surgery-related complications can adversely affect patient outcome. METHODS: From October 1992 to June 1999, 283 consecutive resections were performed (243 for malignant disease and 40 for benign disease). The hospital mortality rate was 1 per cent (three of 283). All readmissions were analysed with regard to indication, treatment and outcome. RESULTS: One hundred and six patients (38 per cent) were readmitted, 64 (60 per cent) because of tumour recurrence and indications such as gastrointestinal obstruction (n = 19), biliary obstruction (n = 15) and pain (n = 21), of whom 30 patients (47 per cent) were in a preterminal condition. Median hospital stay and hospital-free survival after discharge were 14 and 51 days respectively. Median survival after surgical treatment (n = 14) was 58 days, and ascites was significantly associated with poor survival. Forty-seven (44 per cent) of the patients were readmitted for surgical complications such as abscess (n = 11), fistula (n = 8) and gastrointestinal obstruction (n = 8). Median hospital stay was 15 days and median hospital-free survival after discharge was 1035 days. CONCLUSION: Readmission after pancreatoduodenectomy was common (38 per cent), 60 per cent for tumour recurrence and 44 per cent for surgery-related complications. Survival after surgical bypass procedures for tumour recurrence was limited, particularly when ascites was present. Patients readmitted for complications of surgery had a good prognosis.