Pancreatic surgery

According to epidemiologic studies, the incidence of acute and chronic panc reatitis and carcinoma of the pancreas are increasing worldwide. This is th e result not only of improved diagnostic methods introduced in the last dec ades (eg, contrast-enhanced computed tomography, "all-in-one" magnetic reso nance imaging, single-photon emission computed tomography, and endoscopic r etrograde cholangiopancreatography) but also of changes in the environment and nutritional behavior. Once a specific diagnosis has been made, the firs t-choice interventions in acute and chronic inflammatory pancreatic disease s are predominantly organ- and organ function-preserving surgical procedure s. In pancreatic cancer, extended radical surgery and multimodal therapies seem to offer the most benefit. This article provides an overview of recent ly published articles focusing on surgical treatment options in acute and c hronic pancreatitis and carcinoma of the pancreas. (C) 1999 Lippincott Will iams & Wilkins, Inc.