Segmental autotransplantation of the pancreas after total pancreatectomy for advanced periampullary carcinoma--a case report.

A case is reported here in which segmental autotransplantation of the pancreas was performed after total pancreatectomy for advanced periampullary carcinoma in an attempt to preserve pancreatic endocrine function. The postoperative course was uneventful. The requirement of insulin decreased after the operation and the daily profile examination, done 5 months following surgery, showed a permissive fluctuation of blood sugar levels without insulin injection. Thus, segmental autotransplantation of the pancreas offers a method of preserving pancreatic endocrine function after total pancreatectomy for periampullary carcinoma in selected patients.