[Pancreatic duct occlusion in resection treatment of chronic pancreatitis and cancer of the head of the pancreas. A 3-year follow-up study].

The original aims of pancreatic duct occlusion (PDO) were reduction of early complication rate after pancreas resection, influence on clinical symptoms by elimination of exocrine tissue and preservation of B-cell function in the remaining pancreas. As a result of a 3-years study in patients with chronic pancreatitis and carcinoma in whom a Whipple's operation with and without PDO had been carried out the evaluation of PDO was estimated. The PDO has a high value in pancreas head resections because of carcinoma. Similar is the importance in the reduction of clinical symptoms in patients with chronic pancreatitis. A protective effect could not be observed neither in patients with chronic pancreatitis nor with carcinoma. On the other hand there was no additional damage by PDO, as the comparison with patients without PDO has shown.