[Results of resection in cancers of the pancreatic head]

50 patients with a carcinoma of the head of the pancreas have been treated wether by duodenopancreatectomy (38 cases) or by total pancreatectomy (12 cases). Post operative mortality was 23.6% and 25%, mean survival 18 months and 9 months. Analyzing these results reviewing the literature the authors conclude that in limited tumors resection is preferable to palliative surgery. The choice between duodeno pancreatectomy and total pancreatectomy remains difficult and it will only be analysis of more extensive series which might give the answer.