Segmental auto-transplantation of the pancreas

A total pancreatectomy was performed in a 39-year-old man diabetic with diffuse calcification of the whole pancreas, a pseudocyst and intrapancreatic bile duct obstruction. The body of the excised pancreas was immediately transplanted into the left groin. The postoperative responses of plasma glucagon and insulin were not impaired compared with their preoperative responses. The patient was relieved of unremitting pain and is doing well six months after this operation.