[Pancreatic duct occlusion--possible errors and misinterpretations].

A total atrophy of the exocrine pancreas by duct occlusion can only be achieved if the whole duct system is filled. Nevertheless, a residual secretion--poor in enzymes--from the tubular glands of the pancreatic duct is possible. Long-term results of pancreatic duct occlusion are now available not only from animal experiments, but also after application in humans, --the results are comparable. The effectiveness in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis can be demonstrated: in a total of 141 partial duodenopancreatectomies with intraoperative "burning out" of the pancreatic tail, we did'nt observe any postoperative complications from the remaining pancreatic tail and over the course of up to a maximum of 4 years we saw only a single case of recurrent pancreatitis. After partial duodenopancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer insufficiency of the pancreaticojejunostomy occurs in about 14%. Therefore, also in cancer surgery the application of duct occlusion to prevent postoperative complications should be discussed.