[Annular pancreas (author's transl].

Eight cases of annular pancreas treated at the University Hospital of Hamburg between 1964 to 1977 are presented. In adults, the disease follows the pattern of chronic duodenal obstruction being often asymptomatic unless complications such as peptic ulceration, acute pancreatitis or bile duct obstruction occur. Preoperative diagnosis is only possible by using endoscopic retrograde pancreatography. Attention is drawn to the frequent co-existence of other malformations of the gastro-intestinal tract. Treatment should consist of relief of any obstruction to the duodenum by a bypass gastrojejunostomy is recommeded in those cases having associated peptic ulcer. The division or resection of the annulus bears the risk of fistula formation. A brief review of the theories of the development of annular pancreas is given.