Anastomose pancréatojéjunale ou pancréatogastrique après duodénopancréatectomie céphalique. Étude comparative rétrospective

Aim of the studyThe aim of this retrospective study was to compare pancreatico-jejunostomy vs pancreaticogastrostomy with regard to safety of pancreatic anastomosis after pancreatico-duodenectomy.Patients and methodsFrom January 1980 to June 1995, 171 patients underwent pancreatico-duodenectomy, 136 for pancreas, ampulla, distal bile duct or duodenum cancers, and 36 for chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic anastomosis was realised by pancreatico-jejunostomy in 91 cases and by pancreatico-gastrostomy in 80 cases. There was no significant difference between the two groups (age, gender and primary disease). Comparison between the two groups concerned mainly postoperative mortality and morbidity.ResultsThe overall postoperative mortality rate was significantly higher in the pancreatico-jejunostomy group (12%) than in the pancreatico-gastrostomy group (3.7%) (P = 0.05); death was directly related to necrosis of the remnant pancreas in four cases among the 14 postoperative deaths. The postoperative morbidity rate was respectively 23% after pancreatico-jejunostomy and 12.5% after pancreatico-gastrostomy; the pancreatic leakage and/or necrosis rate was higher in the pancreatico-jejunostomy group (13%) than in the pancreatico-gastrostomy group (3.75%) (P= 0.029).ConclusionThis study seems to demonstrate the superiority of the pancreatico-gastric anastomosis, but these results have to be confirmed or invalidated by a prospective multicentric randomised trial.     

胰十二指肠切除术后主要并发症分析：附442例报告

目的:探讨胰十二指肠切除术(PD)后主要并发症发生情况与防治措施。方法:回顾性分析1994年8月—2010年12月442例PD术后并发症发生情况。按不同年代和不同胰肠吻合方式分组:1998年12月以前采用单纯胰-肠套入吻合(32例)为A组;此后的胰管空肠黏膜端侧吻合(305例)为B组;套入加捆绑式吻合(105例)为C组。分析各组手术直接相关和间接相关并发症的发生情况及病死率。结果:全组总并发症发生率为29.9%,总病死率为2.3%。3组间比较,B,C组各项指标均明显优于A组(均P<0.01),但B,C组间差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。A,B,C组手术直接相关并发症分别为43.8%,6.6%,6.7%(其中胰瘘发生率分别为28.1%,3.6%,2.9%);间接相关并发症分别为59.4%,17.0%,19.0%;病死率分别为21.9%,0.7%,1.0%。结论:胰瘘的发生与采用何种胰肠吻合方式有关;熟练的手术技巧、仔细严密的吻合以及加强术前术后防范措施是降低PD术后并发症和病死率的重要因素。     

Pancreatico-enteric fistula post pancreatic duct ligation for delayed haemorrhage complicating pancreaticoduodenectomy

IntroductionPancreatic fistula remains the main cause for postoperative morbidity following pancreaticoduodenectomy. The coincidence of sentinel bleed prior to post pancreatectomy haemorrhage (PPH) and pancreatic fistula is associated with very high mortality.Presentation of caseWe report a case of pancreaticoduodenectomy complicated by postoperative leak and hematemesis. Severe delayed haemorrhage from the pancreatico-jejunostomy necessitated re-laparotomy and complete disconnection of the pancreatic anastomosis. Hemodynamic instability precluded a pancreatectomy or creation of a new anastomosis. A follow up MRI done 3 weeks after the patient’s discharge demonstrated a fistulous tract causing a communication between both the pancreatic and biliary systems and the enteric loop.DiscussionSpontaneous development a pancreatico-enteric fistula despite ligation of the pancreatic duct and complete disconnection of the pancreatic anastomosis has never been reported in literature to date.ConclusionPancreatic duct occlusion may be considered over a completion pancreatectomy or revisional pancreatic anastomosis in hemodynamically unstable and challenging cases.     

Pancreatic fistula after pancreatic head resection

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic resections can be performed with great safety. However, the morbidity rate is reported to be 40-60 per cent with a high prevalence of pancreatic complications. The aim of this study was to analyse complications after pancreatic head resection, with particular attention to morbidity and pancreatic fistula. METHODS: From November 1993 to May 1999, perioperative and postoperative data from 331 consecutive patients undergoing pancreatic head resection were recorded prospectively. Data were analysed and grouped according to the procedure performed: classic Whipple resection, pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD) or duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (DPPHR). RESULTS: Pancreatic head resection had a mortality rate of 2.1 per cent; the difference in mortality rate between the three groups (0.9-3.0 per cent) was not significant. Total and local morbidity rates were 38.4 and 28 per cent respectively. DPPHR had a lower morbidity, both local and systemic, than pancreatoduodenectomy. The prevalence of pancreatic fistula was 2.1 per cent in 331 patients, and was not dependent on the procedure or the aetiology of the disease. Reoperations were performed in 3.9 per cent of patients, predominantly for bleeding and non-pancreatic fistula. None of the patients with pancreatic fistula required reoperation or died in the postoperative course. CONCLUSION: A standardized technique and a continuing effort to improve perioperative management may be responsible for low mortality and surgical morbidity rates after pancreatic head resection. Pancreatic complications occur with Whipple, PPPD and DPPHR procedures with a similar prevalence. Pancreatic fistula no longer seems to be a major problem after pancreatic head resection and rarely necessitates surgical treatment.     

Pancreaticojejunostomy versus alternative treatment of the pancreatic stump after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a comparative analysis of early postoperative outcome

The operative management of the pancreatic stump after pancreaticoduodenectomy has been shown to be an important factor influencing the postoperative development of pancreatic fistula. Thus far, there is no ideal technique for reconstruction, and end-to-end pancreaticojejunostomy (PJS) represents the preferable method. Comparative analysis of early postoperative outcome was done between two groups of patients who underwent either end-to-end PJS or pancreatic remnant ligation (PRL) after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Between January 1997 and December 2001, 39 consecutive patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy at the 1st Department of Surgery, University of Athens Medical School. All operations were performed or supervised by two senior surgeons, and all patients underwent a Whipple's procedure. After pancreaticoduodenectomy, 23 patients underwent end-to-end PJS (PJS group), whereas the remaining 16 patients underwent PRL without pancreatic reconstruction (PRL group). We compared the two groups in terms of patients' characteristics, clinical presentation, serum laboratory values on admission, operative details, and postoperative course. The morbidity and mortality rates were 15.4% and 5.1%, respectively, for the whole series. In the PJS group, the morbidity rate was 8.7%, the pancreatic fistula formation rate was 4.3%, and the mortality rate was 4.3%. In the PRL group, the morbidity rate was 25%, the pancreatic fistula formation rate was 12.5%, and the mortality rate was 6.25%. These differences were not statistically significant. There were two deaths in the whole series (one in each group); however, none of the deaths were related to pancreatic fistula formation. Hospital stay was similar in both groups. Both PJS and PRL are valid surgical options that correlate with acceptable postoperative incidence of pancreatic fistula formation, morbidity, and mortality rates. Although PRL avoids the construction of the most risky anastomosis, the results of this study show that early postoperative results after PRL are not superior to PJS; therefore, the method should not be considered as the treatment of choice for the pancreatic stump after a Whipple's procedure. Meticulous surgical technique, surgical experience, and close postoperative care are essential for a successful outcome after this major abdominal operation.     

External stenting of pancreaticojejunostomy anastomosis and pancreatic duct after pancreaticoduodenectomy

Pancreatic fistula is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy. External drainage of pancreaticojejunostomy anastomosis with a stent is used to reduce the rate of pancreatic fistula. This study compares the rates of pancreatic fistula between external stent drainage versus no-stent drainage for pancreaticojejunal anastomosis following pancreaticoduodenectomy. A total of 53 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for various benign and malignant pathologies were included in the study. An external stent was inserted across the anastomosis to drain the pancreatic duct in 26 patients and 27 patients received no stent. The primary end point was pancreatic fistula. All surgeries were done by a single surgeon with expertise in hepatobiliary pancreatic surgery at a single institute. The two groups were comparable in demographic data, underlying pathologies, presenting complaints, presence of comorbid illnesses and proportion of patients with preoperative biliary drainage, pancreatic consistency and duct diameter. The pancreatic fistula rates were similar in both the groups (11.5 vs. 14.8?%, P?=?0.725). The morbidity and surgical re-exploration rate were statistically not significant between the two groups (65.4 vs. 51.9?%, P?=?0.318 and 11.5 vs. 7.4?%, P?=?0.60). Postoperative stay was also similar with a mean of 14?days in both the groups (P?=?0.66). The mortality rate was statistically not significant in the two groups (3.8 vs. 7.4?%, P?=?0.575). External drainage of pancreaticojejunostomy anastomosis and the pancreatic duct with a stent does not decrease the rate of postoperative pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy.     

Risk factors of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a collective review

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is the most frequent complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy, results in increased morbidity and mortality, and adversely affects length of stay and costs. Reported rates of postoperative pancreatic fistula vary from 0 per cent up to more than 30 per cent. Plenty of randomized trails and meta-analysis were published to analyze the ideal procedure, technique of anastomosis, and perioperative management of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy; however, results are often discordant and clear evidence on the ideal management and surgical technique to reduce POPF rate is not yet provided. This collective review examined the current evidence about risk factors contributing to postoperative pancreatic fistula and delineates methods of diagnosis and treatment of this universally dreaded complication.     

Is pancreaticogastrostomy safer than pancreaticojejunostomy?

Background/Purpose Failure of a pancreatic–enteric anastomosis very frequently leads to morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Pancreaticojejunostomy or pancreaticogastrostomy is often used after pancreaticoduodenectomy. The many reports on pancreaticogastrostomy support the low rates of anastomotic leakage and mortality compared with pancreaticojejunostomy. Methods Between January 1995 and December 2004, 155 pancreaticojejunostomies and 58 pancreaticogastrostomies were performed after pancreatic resection in the Second Department of Surgery of Nagoya University Hospital. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were analyzed. Results The incidence of pancreatic fistula was similar for the pancreaticojejunostomy (12.2%) and pancreaticogastrostomy (20.7%) groups and the mortality rate was 0% in both groups. Conclusions This restrospective clinical study suggested no significant difference in the incidence rate of pancreatic fistula and mortality between pancreaticojejunostomy and pancreaticogastrostomy.     

Hyperamylasemia and acute pancreatitis after pancreatoduodenectomy: Two different entities

BackgroundSerum amylase activity greater than the institutional upper limit of normal (hyperamylasemia) on postoperative day 0-2 has been suggested as a criterion to define postoperative acute pancreatitis after pancreatoduodenectomy, but robust evidence supporting this definition is lacking.BackgroundTo assess the clinical impact of hyperamylasemia after pancreatoduodenectomy and to define postoperative acute pancreatitis.MethodsData of 1,235 consecutive patients who had undergone pancreatoduodenectomy between January 2010 and December 2014 were extracted from a prospective database and analyzed. Postoperative acute pancreatitis was defined based on the computed tomography severity index. Logistic regression modeling was used to calculate the postoperative acute pancreatitis rate of the entire study population.ResultsHyperamylasemia on postoperative day 1 was found in 52% of patients after pancreatoduodenectomy. Patients with hyperamylasemia on postoperative day 1 had statistically significantly greater morbidity and mortality than patients with a normal serum amylase activity on postoperative day 1 with the rates of postoperative pancreatic fistula of 14.5% vs 2.1%, and 90-day mortality of 6.6% vs 2.2%, respectively. Of the 364 patients who underwent postoperative computed tomography, 103 (28%) had radiologic signs of acute pancreatitis, thus defining them as having postoperative acute pancreatitis by our definition. Logistic regression modeling showed a 14.7% rate of postoperative acute pancreatitis for the entire patient cohort and 29.2% for patients with hyperamylasemia on postoperative day 1. Outcomes of patients with postoperative acute pancreatitis defined based on the computed tomography severity index showed a rate of postoperative pancreatic fistula of 32.4% and a 90-day mortality rate of 11.8%, which were worse than those of patients with hyperamylasemia on postoperative day 1 alone.ConclusionHyperamylasemia on postoperative day 1 is a frequent finding after pancreatoduodenectomy, but hyperamylasemia on postoperative day 1 alone is not synonymous with postoperative acute pancreatitis because only 29.2% of such patients have acute pancreatitis based on computed tomography findings. Postoperative acute pancreatitis is a dangerous complication after pancreatoduodenectomy, but its prevalence, according to the gold standard of CT, is not as high as reported previously. Our data suggest that hyperamylasemia on postoperative day 1 and postoperative acute pancreatitis are 2 different entities.     

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目的 探讨降低胰十二指肠切除术后并发症发生率及手术死亡率的措施。方法 将单层吻合技术应用于15例胰十二指肠切除术胰肠重建，33例施行保留幽门的胰十二指肠切除术，其余病例均行经典的胰十二指肠切除术，胰肠重建采用传统的双层吻合。结果 101例中术后出现并发症的有27例，其中胰瘘13例（12.9%)，住院期间死亡4例（3.8%)。应用单层褥式交锁缝合进行胰肠重建的15例术后经过均良好。无一例并发胰瘘，亦无手术死亡。结论 单层吻合技术应用于胰十二指肠切除胰肠重建以及保留幽门的胰十二指肠切除术是降低术后并发症发生率的有效方法。     

Clinical significance of postoperative acute pancreatitis after pancreatoduodenectomy and distal pancreatectomy

BackgroundThe definition of postoperative acute pancreatitis as a specific complication of pancreatic surgery was proposed in 2016. Its presence and relevance have not been established, especially after a distal pancreatectomy.MethodsMedical records of 319 patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy or distal pancreatectomy were analyzed. Postoperative acute pancreatitis was defined as an increase in serum amylase activity greater than the upper normal limit on postoperative day 1, according to Connor’s definition of postoperative acute pancreatitis.ResultsPostoperative acute pancreatitis occurred in 63.4% of 153 of the patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy and 65.7% of the 166 undergoing distal pancreatectomies. Patients who developed postoperative acute pancreatitis after pancreatoduodenectomy experienced an increase in the rate of morbidity (22.7% vs 7.1%; P = .0137), including postoperative pancreatic fistula (18.6% vs 1.8%; P = .024), resulting in greater postoperative stays (21 days vs 17 days; P = .0008). Postoperative acute pancreatitis in association with an increased serum C-reactive protein ≥18.0 mg/dL (which we defined as a clinically relevant postoperative acute pancreatitis) more strongly indicated the occurrence of severe complications (P = .0032) and was an independent predictor of postoperative pancreatic fistula after pancreatoduodenectomy (odds ratio, 3.03; P = .0448). Patients who developed postoperative acute pancreatitis after distal pancreatectomy experienced similar postoperative courses regarding morbidity and the duration of postoperative stay.ConclusionThe clinical relevance of postoperative acute pancreatitis differs after a pancreatoduodenectomy versus a distal pancreatectomy. The development of effective strategies for preventing postoperative acute pancreatitis might improve surgical outcomes after pancreatoduodenectomy.     

Selection of pancreaticojejunostomy techniques according to pancreatic texture and duct size

HYPOTHESIS: Selection of proper pancreaticojejunostomy techniques according to pancreatic texture and the main duct size reduces the pancreatic fistula rate. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Data from 50 consecutive patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy with 3 different anastomotic techniques prospectively used according to pancreatic texture and the main duct size were analyzed. Duct-invagination anastomosis was selected for pancreata with a small duct (n = 34 [29 with a soft texture and 5 with a hard texture]). Stitches between the stump parenchyma and the jejunal seromuscular layer were added to this anastomosis procedure only for the hard pancreata. Pancreata with a large duct were reconstructed with a conventional duct-to-mucosa anastomosis (n = 16). SETTING: A university hospital department of digestive surgery. RESULTS: The morbidity was 40% (20 of 50 patients) in this series. Four patients (8%) with a soft pancreas and a small duct developed a pancreatic stump leak after duct-invagination anastomosis, but all of them were removed without sequelae. No pancreatic anastomotic leak was seen in this series, which resulted in no mortality, no remnant pancreatectomy, and only 1 relaparotomy in the consecutive 50 patients. CONCLUSION: The proper selection of pancreatic reconstruction techniques according to our criteria may reduce the pancreatic fistula rate, eliminate risky pancreatic anastomotic leaks, and result in excellent outcomes for those undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy.     

Pancreatoduodenectomy with occlusion of the residual stump by Neoprene injection

Pancreatojejunal anastomosis disruption still represents the main postoperative complication after pancreatoduodenectomy. In this study, a technique of occlusion of the residual pancreatic stump instead of pancreatojejunal anastomosis is proposed. Between March, 1981 and August, 1987, we performed 51 pancreatoduodenectomies, using Neoprene injection in the Wirsung duct, for carcinoma of the pancreatic head (28 cases), ampullary carcinoma (12 cases), islet cell carcinoma (5 cases), and chronic pancreatitis (6 cases). We observed a 33.3% overall morbidity, with a 5.8% operative mortality. The complications observed seemed not to be related to the technique of pancreatic stump occlusion, except for 2 pancreatic fistulas which spontaneously resolved. Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography scan performed during the follow-up did not show any significant morphological alteration of the residual stump. Pancreatic endocrine function was assessed in 10 patients by evaluating blood glucose, plasma insulin and plasma glucagon levels both fasting and after oral glucose, and intravenous arginine infusion. These tests were performed before surgery and 15 days, 6 months, 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery. The results showed that 60% of the patients had impaired glucose tolerance before surgery and the percentage did not significantly change up to 3 years later (75%). No patient developed diabetes mellitus, and only 1 patient progressed from a normal to an impaired glucose tolerance. In conclusion, intraductal injection of Neoprene after pancreatoduodenectomy seems to be a safer procedure compared to pancreatojejunal anastomosis and does not induce a post-surgical diabetes.     

胰十二指肠切除术后外科相关并发症的分析与处理

目的 探讨胰十二指肠切除术后外科相关并发症发生的原因与处理措施.方法 回顾性研究1995年1月至2010年4月共412例行胰十二指肠切除术患者的临床资料,男性232例,女性180例,分析其术后并发症发生的影响因素与治疗方法.结果 本组中共有153例患者出现并发症214例次,总发生率为37.1%.术后30 d内死亡19例,总病死率4.6%.统计学分析显示,胰腺钩突全切除与否(P=0.022)、胰肠吻合方式(P=0.005)、胰管直径(P=0.007)及残余胰腺质地(P=0.000)与胰瘘的发生具有相关性;未进行胰腺钩突全切除(P=0.002)、术中失血量≥600ml(P=0.000)及合并胰瘘者(P=0.000)术后出血发生率显著增高;保留幽门的胰十二指肠切除术组术后胃排空障碍的发生率显著高于传统胰十二指肠切除术组(P=0.000).多因素Logistic回归分析表明,胰管直径及胰腺质地是影响胰瘘发生的独立危险因素;未进行胰腺钩突全切除、术中失血量≥600ml及胰瘘为影响术后出血的独立危险因素;联合血管切除或腹膜后淋巴清扫的患者与未行血管切除或腹膜后淋巴清扫的患者相比,并发症发生率的差异无统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 合并慢性胰腺炎及胰管扩张的患者可行胰肠端侧黏膜对黏膜吻合,而端端或端侧套入式吻合更适于胰管不扩张或胰腺质软者;完整切除钩突、术中仔细止血是预防术后出血的重要因素;胰瘘是并发术后出血的重要原因之一.联合肠系膜上静脉或门静脉切除及腹膜后淋巴结清扫不会增加术后并发症的发生率.     

Management of a stenotic pancreatico-digestive tract anastomosis following pancreatoduodenectomy

Early postoperative complications of pancreatico-digestive anastomosis following pancreatoduodenectomy are pancreatic fistula and pancreatitis affecting the pancreatic tail. Stenosis of the anastomosis is a later complication. Symptomatic and painful presentations are difficult to treat, and the optimal treatment is not currently defined. The aim of this work was to retrospectively report two cases of pancreaticogastrostomy stenosis. In both patients, the complication was diagnosed, with pancreatitis that developed following pancreatoduodenectomy. These patients were treated surgically, by fashioning a new anastomosis. Pancreaticogastrostomy has been viewed as a simpler and more secure reconstruction technique, with a lower occurrence rate of pancreatic fistula, than that of pancreaticojejunostomy. One complication of this surgery, however, is stenosis of the anastomosis. Following pancreatoduodenectomy, stenosis of the pancreaticogastrostomy may not occur until many years later. In a significant percentage of patients it is without clinical signs. It may be discovered after systematic explorations of patients following pancreaticogastrostomy or pancreaticojejunostomy. There is no study regarding the optimal treatment of postoperative stenosis of a pancreatico-gastric anastomosis. We believe that the optimal treatment is surgical. The intervention involves resection of the stenosis, and the formation of a new anastomosis.     

Experiencia de un programa de fast-track en la duodenopancreatectomía cefálica

IntroductionFast-track surgery has been proposed as a valid method in pancreatic surgery. Although morbidity and mortality has improved in the last decade, the prevalence of postoperative complications is still high. The aim of this study is to analyse the results of a programme of Fast-track surgery in this context.ResultsA total of 82 patients who underwent a cephalic pancreatoduodenectomy with a programme of early recovery after surgery, were analysed. There were 53 men, with a median age of 63 years old. The median hospital stay was 9 days, with 14.6% of readmissions. The Clavien-DeOliveira Classification was applied to evaluate the severity of postoperative complications. The overall morbidity was 47.6%. The most common complications were general, followed by infection of surgical wound and cardiopulmonary events. Taking into account that a surgical drain was used in 32% of patients, the prevalence of pancreatic fistula was 8.5%, and were classified in the most severity grades (III, IV and V). The postoperative mortality was 4.9%. The associated surgery was a risk factor of mortality.ConclusionsThe Fast-track programme after pancreatoduodenectomy in high volume centres is a safe and effective method, that can improve the morbidty and mortality results.     

Additional modifications to the Blumgart pancreaticojejunostomy: Results of a propensity score-matched analysis versus Cattel-Warren pancreaticojejunostomy

BackgroundPostoperative pancreatic fistula continues to occur frequently after pancreatoduodenectomy.MethodsWe have described a modification of the Blumgart pancreaticojejunostomy. The modification of the Blumgart pancreaticojejunostomy was compared to the Cattel-Warren pancreaticojejunostomy in cohorts of patients matched by propensity scores based on factors predictive of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula, which was the primary endpoint of this study. Based on a noninferiority study design, 95 open pancreatoduodenectomies per group were needed. Feasibility of the modification of the Blumgart pancreaticojejunostomy in robotic pancreatoduodenectomy was also shown. All pancreaticojejunostomies were performed by a single surgeon.ResultsBetween October 2011 and May 2019, there were 415 pancreatoduodenectomies with either a Cattel-Warren pancreaticojejunostomy (n = 225) or a modification of the Blumgart pancreaticojejunostomy (n = 190). There was 1 grade C postoperative pancreatic fistula in 190 consecutive modification of the Blumgart pancreaticojejunostomies (0.5%). Logistic regression analysis showed that the rate of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula was not affected by consecutive case number. After exclusion of robotic pancreatoduodenectomies (the Cattel-Warren pancreaticojejunostomy: 82; modification of the Blumgart pancreaticojejunostomy: 66), 267 open pancreatoduodenectomies were left, among which the matching process identified 109 pairs. The modification of the Blumgart pancreaticojejunostomy was shown to be noninferior to the Cattel-Warren pancreaticojejunostomy with respect to clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (11.9% vs 22.9%; odds ratio: 0.46 [0.21–0.93]; P = .03), grade B postoperative pancreatic fistula (11.9% vs 18.3%; P = .18), and grade C postoperative pancreatic fistula (0 vs 4.6%; P = .05) as well as to all secondary study endpoints. The modification of the Blumgart pancreaticojejunostomy was feasible in 66 robotic pancreatoduodenectomies. In this subgroup with 1 conversion to open surgery (1.5%), a clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula occurred after 9 procedures (13.6%) with no case of grade C postoperative pancreatic fistula and a 90-day mortality of 3%.ConclusionThe modification of the Blumgart pancreaticojejunostomy described herein is noninferior to the Cattel-Warren pancreaticojejunostomy in open pancreatoduodenectomy. This technique is also feasible in robotic pancreatoduodenectomy.     

Pancreatoduodenectomy--past, present and future

Pancreatico-duodenectomy represents one of the most important and complex surgical digestive procedure. Although rarely performed in the past, nowadays has become a routine surgery. Moreover, postoperative mortality significantly decreased (from over 30% to less than 5%), while the number of severe, life-threatening complications were reduced. This outcome was possible due to technical innovations acquired in time, and also due to a better per operative management of these patients, in tertiary surgical centers, with experienced operative teams. Some modifications of the standard procedure of resection, like posterior or artery first approach contributed to better results, facilitating en-block resection of the portal/ superior mesenteric vein, where needed. Moreover, posterior approach facilitates complete mesopancreas excision, involved in local recurrence after resection of pancreatic head adenocarcinoma. Regarding reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy, there is no optimal type of anastomosis (pancreatico-gastrostomy vs pancreatico-jejunostomy), results being related mostly with the expertise of the operative team, as like the postoperative pancreatic fistula rate. Future studies are deemed to look on the real clinical impact of the total mesopancreas excision in achieving negative resection margins, decreasing local recurrence and increasing the long-term survival of patients resected for pancreatic head cancer.     

The challenge of pancreatic anastomosis

Background and aims Significant progress in surgical technique and perioperative management has substantially reduced the mortality rate of pancreatic surgery. However, morbidity remains considerably high, even in expert hands and leakage from the pancreatic stump still accounts for the majority of surgical complications after pancreatic head resection. For that reason, management of the pancreatic remnant after partial pancreatoduodenectomy remains a challenge. This review will focus on technique, pitfalls, and complication management of pancreaticoenteric anastomoses. Materials and methods A medline search for surgical guidelines, prospective randomized controlled trials, systematic metaanalysis, and clinical reports was performed with regard to surgical technique and complication management of pancreatic anastomoses. Results Pancreaticojejunostomy appears to be most widely performed, but pancreaticogastrostomy is a reasonable alternative. Postoperative treatment with octreotide can be recommended only for patients with soft pancreatic tissue, and neither stents of the pancreatic duct nor drainages have proven to effectively reduce anastomotic complications. Gastroparesis remains the most common complication after pancreatic surgery and should be treated conservatively. However, it may be a symptom of other local complications, such as anastomotic leakage, pancreatic fistula or abscess. All septic complications may finally result in late postoperative hemorrhage, which requires immediate diagnostic workup and therapy. Today, interventional radiology has emerged as a standard tool in the management of local septic complications and bleeding. Therefore, relaparotomy has become less frequent and salvage pancreatectomy is now a rare procedure in case of local complications. Conclusion The surgeon’s experience with one or the other technique of pancreatic anastomosis appears to be more important than the technique itself.     

End-to-End Invaginated Pancreaticojejunostomy with Three Overlapping U-Sutures––A Safe and Simple Method of Pancreaticoenteric Anastomosis

Background: Postoperative pancreatic fistula associated with mortality and morbidity remains an intractable problem after pancreaticoduodenectomy. To date it still carries a notable incidence of roughly 10% to 30% in large series in spite of numerous pharmacological and technical methods that have been proposed to achieve a leakproof pancreatic remnant. Methods: In order to perform a safe anastomosis to pancreatic remnant with less sophisticated sutures and shorter operative duration, a fast and simple technique of end-to-end invaginated pancreaticojejunostomy with three overlapping U-sutures was devised in our institution. Results: Between April 2011 and July 2013, end-to-end invaginated pancreaticojejunostomy with three overlapping U-sutures technique was used in 23 consecutive cases that underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy in our institute. The median operative time for pancreaticojejunostomy was 12 min. The incidence of pancreatic fistula was 8.7% (n = 2) and both cases were grade A fistula with no clinical impact or delayed hospital discharge. Neither relaparotomy nor postoperative mortality was observed. Conclusions: The technique of using three overlapping U-sutures in an end-to-end invaginated pancreaticojejunostomy represents a simple management of pancreaticoenteric anastomosis with reliability and applicability, and provides an alternative choice for pancreaticojejunostomy to senior pancreatic surgeons as well as those without experience.