[Gastrin in surgery]

The clinical symptomatology of the Zollinger-Ellison-syndrome, the diagnostic treatment and the surgical procedure are reviewed. The syndrome with excessive non-regulated gastrin release from the ZE-tumor is the only form of ulcer disease with importance for the surgeon. The development of a sensitive radioimmunoassay for circulating gastrin facilitated its diagnosis. The possibility of Zollinger-Ellison-syndrome should always be considered if ulcer recur after surgical procedure by simple ulcer disease. If ulcers are located at atypical sites, if multiple ulcer are found, the diagnosis of a Zollinger-Ellison-syndrome should be established by measuring serum gastrin levels.