[Resections of the pancreas: their effects on bone and calcium metabolism (author's transl)]

Four to ten years after partial or total resections of the pancreas calcium and bone metabolism was investigated. A high-turnover osteoporosis is proved by bone histomorphometry. There were no signs of osteomalacia or secondary hyperparathyroidism. Radiocalciumkinetics in all cases showed an increase endogenous fecal loss of calcium. Both, intestinal absorption and renal excretion of calcium were normal. Pathophysiologic relationship between resections of the pancreas and their influence on calcium and bone metabolism has not been sufficiently explained until now. Further investigation will be necessary.