[Is total pancreatectomy still responsible treatment for chronic pancreatitis? (author's transl)].

A total of 61 pancreatectomies for chronic pancreatitis are reported. The operative mortality rate was 21% and the later mortality rate 29%, although caused by diabetes. The results are so poor that this method should only be performed in extreme situations. Left or right resection of the main inflammation site is proposed as an alternative. To prevent recurrence of the pancreatitis, the in situ remaining part of the pancreas should be sclerosed by occlusion of the pancreatic duct system.