OBJECTIVE To examine mortality and morbidity rates after pancreaticoduodenectomy in 69 consecutive patients with periampullar disease operated on between 1985 and 1993 at the Reina Sofía Hospital, Córdoba, Spain. METHODS Fifty five patients (79.7%) had malignant neoplasm whereas 14 (20.3%) had benign disease. In 58 patients a Whipple procedure was performed; pancreaticoduodenectomy with preservation of the pylorus (Traverso-Longmire) was performed in the remaining 11 patients. RESULTS Eighteen patients (26%) had postoperative complications; peritoneal bleeding (1); biliary fistula (3); pancreatic fistula (4); digestive fistula (2); and pancreatitis (2). Two patients with pancreatic and duodenal carcinoma died. Thirteen patients were readmitted: 3 bleeding episodes in anastomotic ulcer; 3 hepaticojejunostomy obstruction; and the remaining 6 patients with tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS In our experience duodenopancreatectomy was a safe procedure in periampullar disease, with an acceptable morbidity and mortality rates.