[Subtotal duodenopancreatectomy. A new surgical technic for cancer of the pancreas head].

Since May 1980 total duodenopancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer, which caused an operative mortality of 25% in former years, was replaced by a subtotal duodenopancreatectomy. This new technique is discussed in detail. Altogether 30 patients were operated since then without postoperative mortality. The procedure is tolerated by the patients much better than a total pancreatectomy. Only 40% developed diabetes postoperatively. At present 4/24 patients with ductal carcinoma of the cephalic pancreas are alive longer than 20 months. It seems, that subtotal duodenopancreatectomy is as an effective radical operation as total pancreatectomy, with a much lower operative risk for the patient.