[Development and critical evaluation of pancreatic duct occlusion]

The three original aims of pancreatic duct occlusion (PDO) were first the reduction of early complications after Whipple's operation in chronic pancreatitis and carcinoma as well as segmental pancreas transplantation, second to finish the inflammation in cases of chronic pancreatitis and third to protect the B-cell function in remained or transplanted pancreas. We have compared PDO by Tissucol and Ethibloc with non-occluded pancreases up to 3 years after Whipple's operation in patients with chronic pancreatitis and carcinoma and in patients with autologous segmental pancreas transplantation. In concluding the results one can say that PDO is of high value with regard to early complications in patients with pancreas carcinoma. In these patients and in autologous pancreas transplantation the PDO by Tissucol seems to have more protective effect on B-cell function than the other approaches. In patients with chronic pancreatitis and Whipple's operation the PDO was without value neither for early complications, these are very low anyhow, nor B-cell function.