[Wirsung's duct hemorrhage in chronic pancreatitis. Report of 4 cases and study of the literature].

Hemorrhage from Wirsung's canal complicated chronic pancreatitis in 4 patients. Excision (2 cephalic and 1 corporeocaudal) in 3 cases provided successful results, the 4th patient dying from intraperitoneal rupture of the false cyst responsible for the hemorrhage, during recurrence of the latter after simple ligature. A literature review indicated pancreatic disease, mainly chronic, as the cause in 76.5% of the 64 cases documented. Diagnosis is difficult from clinical findings, and is dependent mainly on results of endoscopy and particularly retrograde catheterization of the papilla, while arteriography is essential for confirmation of the diagnosis and the site of the lesion, and for assisting choice of therapy. When a chronic pancreatitis exists, the only logical attitude is selective excision, mortality being minimal (5%). Embolization could be a valid method for ensuring hemostasis temporarily to allow delayed radical surgery.