Topics in acute and chronic pancreatitis

The increasing incidence of both chronic pancreatitis and pan­ creatic cancer was the primary impetus for the organization of this meeting, an additional factor being the widespread existence of pancreatic disease within Italy itself. It is well known that the treatment of chronic and particularly of acute pancreatitis is still a matter of controversy, and it seemed useful to compare our own experience with that of other centers working in the same field. Consequently, in addition to numerous Italian specialists in the field, doctors from the Federal Republic of Germany, Denmark, Great Britain, France, and Austria were invited to attend the meeting. The symposium lasted two days and comprised eight sessions dealing with the anatomy and physiology of the pancreas and the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of pancreatic diseases. A central feature of the discussion on the surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis was the debate between those who favor the use of drainage and those who believe resection to be the best treatment. Finally, I would like to thank Dr. Cavallini and Dr. Pederzoli very much for their help in organizing the meeting and also the local authorities for their aid. Professor Adamo Dagradi Director of the Institute of Clinica Chirurgica, Verona Opening Address I am pleased to welcome all partlclpants and particularly the guests from abroad, to this meeting on the clinical evaluation of pancreatitis.