[Pancreatic diseases with pleuropulmonary complications of surgical significance].

It is well known that a pleuropneumopathy brought on by local action of biochemical nature (amylase) can occur in the course of quiescent or unknown pancreatitis. The literature on the subject was therefore examined with respect to abdominothoracic diffusion of the pancreatic excretion. Also examined were indications for surgery in the unusual complications which may arise, often with dramatic emergency (acute abdomen in sufferers from slight persistent pleural effusion; pleuropulmonary perforative syndrome in be course of quite stabilized chronic pancreatitis). Personal experience with four successfully treated cases is reported. The literature contains only sporadic examples and some remarks and deductions are made with regard to the controversial ways of amylasic abdominothoracic transfer.