[Long-term follow-up study of C-cell-function after partial duodenopancreatectomy (author's transl)]

Late results were obtained from the follow up of 48 patients with chronic pancreatitis, who underwent partial duodenopancreatectomy. We measured the rest function of the remaining B-cells after resection by daily glucose profile, i.v.-gtt, measurements of the glucagon stimulated C-peptide-output and the amount of C-peptide in the 24-h-urine. In 9% of the cases the operation induced diabetes in addition to the already existing 31%. 3/4 of the nondiabetics showed a latent diabetic metabolism (K value < 1.0). The cause of this, as shown by the C-peptide-analysis, was the loss of the endocrine functional reserve following pancreas resection because of chronic pancreatitis. Therapeutically great differences resulted in reaching and equilibrium of serum glucose in the pancreas resected insulin-dependent patients, because they were dependent on carbohydrates for energy. The tendency to hypoglycaemia represented an additional endangerment.