"Idiopathic" duodenal obstruction due to chronic pancreatitis.

Three cases of idiopathic duodenal obstruction due to chronic pancreatitis are described. Each received a different surgical treatment. One had a pancreatoduodenectomy because of the difficulty in distinguishing the benign mass from a malignant tumor, one had a cholecystectomy with conservative treatment and the third had a subtotal gastrectomy with a Billroth II anastomosis. All patients were free of symptoms from 1 to 4 years postoperatively. It is very important to establish the correct diagnosis before or during operation in the management of these patients.