[Complications after resection in cases of chronic pancreatitis (author's transl)]

Mortality and post-operative complications are reported in 236 patients with chronic pancreatitis, who underwent pancreas resection in the Surgical Clinic of the University of Mainz between 1967 and 1979. Early mortality was 10.2%, late death (average observation time: 3 years 36 weeks) occurred in 19.0% of all patients. The most common intra-operative and early complication was haemorrhage, in later illness and deaths, alcohol-induced disorders of the liver and their consequences, played a large part. In 12 cases, persisting pancreatitis required further operation. Exact differentiation of the indications, with the aid of ultrasound and computed tomography, is necessary.