PANCREATOTOMIES AND DIABETES-MELLITUS

Between 1978 and 1989 the authors of this summary analysed the data of 43 persons who had been operated on for pancreas disease. Most of the operations were carried out by reason of pancreatitis chronica and ps eudocysta, and the method applied in most of the cases was distal panc reas resection. Diabetes developed in 15 patients before the operation and in 28 after the operation. The diabetes known prior to the operat ion worsened in 40 per cent, whereas newly developed diabetes, while t hey were followed, worsened in 60 per cent. The average daily insulin dosage of 13 insulin-dependent patients is 35 units. The development o f diabetes after pancreas operations is the commonest during the first year after the operation. Patients operated on for distal pancreas re section are potential diabetics.