The aim of our study was retrospective analysis of causes and treatment results of pancreatic fistula. In years 1989-1996, 40 patients aged 14-74 years were treated for pancreatic fistula in the Department of Gastroenterologic Surgery of Medical University in Warsaw. The majority of patients (36 adults) were treated conservatively, with the use of parenteral nutrition, drainage and somatostatin (in case of 4 patients). The healing of pancreatic fistula occurred in 27 medically treated patients after 26 days of therapy (mean value), the remaining patients were treated surgically. The applied treatment was effective in 38 out of 40 cases, 2 patients died (5.0%) due to the complications not connected with pancreatic fistula. In our opinion, in early stages of treatment of pancreatic fistula the conservative therapy with the use of parenteral nutrition is the treatment of choice and elective surgery should be used in patients, in whom conservative treatment fails.