Pancreatography in relapsing pancreatitis

Peroperative pancreatography was performed in 31 patients with relapsing pancreatitis, and in 3 additional cases in whom inflammatory pancreatic disease had to be excluded. The examinations were performed from the amputated pancreatic tail in 28 cases and using the transampullary technique in 6 cases. On the basis of operative findings apart from pancreatography the patients were referred to 3 different groups of severe, moderate and slight pancreatitis, respectively. Dilatation, irregular walls, branch filling, strictures and complete obstruction of the pancreatic duct were the most common findings. The severity and frequency of these abnormalities was found to correlate well with the seriousness of the inflammatory process observed during operation. Cysts communicating with the duct and calculi were mainly demonstrated in the group of patients with severe pancreatitis. Malformation of the duct anatomy was revealed in one case.