Abstract
Conclusions
No general physiologic disturbances are observed in a patient who has survived occlusion of the external pancreatic secretion for 11 months. Previous weight loss was regained. The blood, stools, and fat absorption are normal and heavy physical labor is possible. In 2 other patients with similar occlusion, bulky fatty stools immediately developed and fat absorption was radically reduced. No other general physiologic disturbance was detected during their period of survival (51/2 and 5 months respectively) except for some impairment in digestion of raw meat, death resulting from carcinomatosis. The basis for the marked variation in fat absorption following occlusion of the pancreatic juice in man remains obscure.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.