Intravenous glucose tolerance after Whipple's procedure in patients with chronic pancreatitis--relative influence of occlusion of the pancreatic duct.

An intravenous glucose tolerance test was carried out to compare chronic pancreatitis patients (n = 17) who had undergone partial duodenopancreatectomy with (n = 9) and without (n = 8) occlusion of the residual pancreatic duct by Prolamin. The results obtained in 10 healthy volunteers were plotted as background information reflecting the normal metabolic response. Insulin- and C-peptide secretion were greatly decreased after both resection alone, and resection plus occlusion. However, the glucose tolerance (integrated glucose; K-values) appeared relatively well preserved in the two groups. The decrease in insulin appeared more marked after resection plus occlusion as compared with the non-occluded group. It is concluded that partial duodenopancreatectomy without or with ductal occlusion impairs insulin secretion, and leaves tolerance to an intravenous glucose load relatively stable. The mechanism underlying the latter observation is unknown at present.