[Long-term results following surgical treatment of islet cell adenoma]

To evaluate the long term results after operation of islet cell adenomas we analyzed our own patient material from 1.1.1967 to 30.11.1988. During this time we operated 43 patients with islet cell tumors. 36 patients had benign adenomas. After a medium time of 6.7 years we analyzed the outcome of 33 patients. Only one out of 29 patients with a solitary adenoma had a recurrence of the disease. Two patients after pancreas resection had diabetes mellitus. In contrast to this only one out of four patients with multiple adenomas was free of symptoms. One patient had diabetes mellitus. In two patients five operations were necessary up to now, nevertheless one of the patients had persistent hypoglycaemic symptoms. These results show that the most important factor in therapy of patients with islet cell tumors is the recognition and complete removal of multiple adenomas.