Hereditary pancreatitis-a report on two kindreds.

Two Swedish kindreds with hereditary pancreatitis are reported. The onset of symptoms was in early childhood. Otherwise the clinical course did not differ from the non-hereditary form. In no patients were found signs of alcohol-overconsumption, hyperparathyreoidism, hyperlipidemia or mucoviscoidosis. Three patients with intractable pain and frequent hospitalization were operated on with pancreatico-jejunostomy as described by Puestow-Gillesby, with excellent results. Although the observation periods are short (0.5, 2 and 4 years, respectively) it seems legitimate to recommend the operation also for the hereditary form of pancreatitis if intractable pain or frequent exacerbations are present.