PANCREATIC EXOCRINE DEFICIENCY AFTER PARTIAL PANCREATECTOMY IN CONSCIOUS DOGS

Objective: To describe the secretory responses to physiological stimul ation of the exocrine pancreas after partial pancreatectomy in conscio us animals. Design: Controlled study. Material: Thirteen mongrel dogs. Interventions: Partial pancreatectomy (n = 4), and creation of gastri c and pancreatic (Herrera) fistulas (n = 13). Collections of duodenal juice at 15 minute intervals after an oral meal or during intraduodena l infusion of sodium oleate, and blood samples. Main outcome measures: Protein concentration in duodenal juice and cholecystokinin 33/39 con centrations in plasma one and three months after partial pancreatectom y, and secretion of fluid by the pancreas. Results: Pancreatic protein output after a meal was significantly reduced at one and three months in dogs after partial pancreatectomy compared with control animals. P rotein output in response to an intraduodenal infusion of oleate was a lso reduced at both time points. In contrast, secretion of fluid after a meal or during infusion of oleate was unchanged by removal of the d istal lobe. There was no correlation between the effects of partial pa ncreatectomy on protein output and plasma concentrations of cholecysto kinin 33/39. Conclusion: Pancreatic exocrine deficiency, particularly the reduction in secretion of protein, results directly from the parti al pancreatectomy and persists for at least three months after the ope ration.