Pancreatic injuries. Effectiveness of debridement and drainage for nontransecting injuries.

Injuries to the pancreas are encountered infrequently and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Controversy regarding the management of these injuries exists between the advocates of resection and the advocates of simple debridement and drainage. A retrospective review of 42 patients suffering injuries to the pancreas between 1969 and 1982 at the authors' institution was undertaken. Operative pancreatography was not performed, and all injuries were managed by debridement and drainage unless complete transection of the pancreas was present. The results support the use of debridement and drainage of nontransecting pancreatic injuries.