Resection of the pancreas for acute hemorrhagic and necrotizing pancreatitis.

The role of surgery in the treatment of acute hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis is discussed on the basis of a series of 996 patients with all types of acute pancreatitis who were treated in the years 1967--1976. Pancreatic resection was performed in 29 patients with hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis during the past 3 years. The extent of resection ranged from 60 to 100% of the pancreas. Eight patients died, for a mortality rate of 28%. Eight of 21 surviving patients developed diabetes requiring substitution therapy. During a follow-up period of 6 to 36 months, 17 patients were able to resume work, 3 are still convalescing, and 1 has retired.