[Fatal outcome of a case with calcifying alcoholic pancreatitis (author's transl)]

A case report is presented of a 38-year-old alcoholic welfare patient. Drainage of a pancreatic abscess, which had to be repeated, pyloromyotomy, cholecystectomy and sphincterotomy were undertaken in 1972 at another hospital. He was admitted on the present occasion because of weight loss, severe attacks of pain and diabetes. At operation multiple necrotic areas were found in the pancreas, with many stones in the parenchymatous tissue and in the main pancreatic duct and one large stone close to the pailla acting like a valve. Sub-total duodenopancreatectomy, resection of the pyloric region of the stomach, retrocolic hepaticojejunostomy and gastroenteroanastomosis was performed. The postoperative recovery took place without complications. 5 days after discharge the patient died in a hypoglycaemic coma at another hospital. He had administered 400 U. insulin to himself whilst in a drunken state. A short description is given of the aetiology and pathogenesis of calcifying pancreatitis. The choice of the surgical technique depends on the operative findings and the aim of therapy. Attention is called to the increase in late mortality in patients with pancreatectomy who do not abstain from alcohol.