The feasibility of producing total pancreatic duct obstruction with alkyl-alpha-cyanoacrylate glue was studied in 10 dogs. Low pressure injection of glue into the pancreatic duct led to a reproducible pancreatic atrophy with preservation of the islets. A sharp rise in serum amylase was noted in each dog, but at autopsy examination at monthly intervals after the operation, no evidence of chronic pancreatitis was observed. None of the dogs was rendered diabetic. The success of the experimental technique raised the possibility that such a technique might be useful in the management of human chronic pancreatitis as an alternative to pancreatic resection, and the operation was performed on 3 patients so far.