[Vascular complications in surgery of pancreatic cancer]

Anatomical knowledge of the complex vascularization of the pancreas lowers the risk of vascular injuries. Preoperative arteriography is useful in identifying individual variations. Special techniques are proposed for dissection of the posterior attachments. Occlusion of the intestinal arteries due to arteriosclerosis should be noted. This condition causes collateral circulation which is disturbed if the gastroduodenal artery is transected during cephalic resection. Additional procedures are mandatory in this case. The principles of reconstruction by vascular surgery are outlined for the injured vessel as well as for situations after vascular resection due to unexpected tumor invasion.