Operative biopsy of the pancreas using the Trucut needle.

The results of 14 operative biopsies of the pancreas using the Trucut technique are presented. There was no significant complication attributable to the biopsy, and in all cases an adequate tissue specimen was obtained, facilitating either frozen or paraffin section histological diagnosis. One false negative result was obtained which was due to sampling error. This technique is recommended as a good alternative when operative pancreatic biopsy is required. It is technically simple, has an acceptably low sampling error, provides a good tissue specimen for histological examination, and has few complications.