Local pancreatic resection with preoperative endoscopic transpapillary stenting

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic fistula, although not common, can cause serious complications after pancreatectomy. During local pancreatectomy, injury to the main pancreatic duct (in addition to the accessory and side branch ducts) increases the risk of pancreatic fistula formation. Nonetheless, local pancreatic resection maintains the advantage of preserving pancreatic parenchyma. METHODS: In this study, we reviewed the cases of 5 patients who underwent preoperative endoscopic transpapillary pancreatic stenting to help prevent refractory fistula development after local pancreatic resection. RESULTS: Stenting was successful in all 5 patients, and none developed a refractory grade C postoperative pancreatic fistula. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that in selected patients, preoperative endoscopic pancreatic stenting may be an effective prophylactic measure to lower the risk of refractory grade C fistula formation after local pancreatic resection.     

Endoscopic treatment of pancreatic fistulas

Background Pancreatic fistulas are managed primarily by conservative treatment. Surgery is performed in cases of conservative treatment failure. Endoscopic treatment is reported to be both effective and safe as an alternative treatment method. Methods A total of 26 patients underwent endoscopic treatment after failure of conservative treatment between January 2002 and November 2004. The mean time between the onset of fistula and the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure was 95 days. The mean fistula output volume was 400 ml per day. Four patients had pancreatic ascites. The aim of the endoscopic treatment was to bypass the ductal disruption by placing stents or drains where the origin of fistulous tract could be identified, and to lower the pancreatic duct pressure by performing pancreatic sphincterotomy or by placing stents where the site of the leak could not be identified. Results Pancreatography could be performed in all the patients except one. Partial duct disruption occurred in 16 patients. All of the fistulas closed after the ductal disruption was bypassed. Pancreatic sphincterotomy or endoprothesis placement was effective for eight of the remaining nine patients in whom the ductal disruption originated from the tail of the pancreas and hence could not be bypassed. The overall success rate was 94% for the patients with partial duct disruption. Four patients had side branch leaks. All of them closed after placement of an endoprothesis. Fistulas closed in only one (20%) of the five patients with complete duct disruption. Pancreatic ascites resolved in two of the four patients after endoscopic treatment. No serious complications resulted from endoscopic treatment other than proximally migrated stents in two patients. Conclusions Endoscopic treatment is an effective and safe method for patients with pancreatic fistulas unresponsive to conservative treatment. The success rate is very high, especially for patients with partial and side branch duct disruption.     

胰管结石的诊断与外科治疗：附43例报告

目的:探讨胰管结石的诊断及手术治疗方式。方法:回顾性分析6年间进行外科手术的43例胰管结石患者的临床资料。结果:患者男女比例约为2:1,主要症状为上腹痛,部分伴腰背痛。全组均采用影像学检查方法确诊。行胰管切开取石、胰管空肠侧侧Roux-en-Y吻合术34例(其中同时切除胰体尾2例),保留十二指肠的胰头切除术5例,保留幽门的胰十二指肠切除1例,胰十二指肠切除术1例,胰体尾、脾切除1例,探查发现恶变无法切除1例。随访5个月至6年;43例患者中23例腹痛症状完全缓解,18例有不同程度的缓解。结论:影像学检查是确诊胰管结石的主要方法。对胰管结石的手术应制定个体化方案。胰管切开取石,胰管-空肠Roux-en-Y吻合术为胰管结石的主要术式,其他可根据情况采用保留十二指肠的胰头切除术或胰体尾切除等术式。     

胰管结石伴发慢性胰腺炎急性发作临床诊治探讨

目的 探讨胰管结石伴发慢性胰腺炎急性发作的临床治疗方案.方法 回顾性分析南华大学附属南华医院1998年1月至2006年9月收治的11例胰管结石伴发慢性胰腺炎急性发作病人的临床资料,11例均接受手术治疗,其中胰头部胰管切开加十二指肠乳头成形及胆总管切开T管引流术2例,胰管切开取石并胰管空肠Roux-en-Y吻合术5例,胰体尾切除加胰断端面胰管空肠Roux-en-Y吻合2例.单纯胰尾切除2例.结果 术后疼痛治愈率54.54%(6/11),好转率45.45%(5/11),胰漏(瘘)或出血27.27%(3/11).9例平均随访时间(39.2±36.2)个月,均无并发症出现.结论 胰管结石伴发慢性胰腺炎急性发作者早期宜非手术治疗,3个月后接受适宜的外科手术治疗,效果肯定.并发症发生率较低,术式根据结石部位、主胰管是否通畅决定.     

Directed duct excision by using mammary ductoscopy in patients with pathologic nipple discharge

BACKGROUND: Duct excision for pathologic nipple discharge (PND) often requires "blind" surgical resection. Intraoperative mammary ductoscopy can allow for direct visualization of intraductal abnormalities during surgical resection. METHODS: We reviewed our experience with 119 patients with PND undergoing ductoscopy-directed duct excision. The variables that could interfere with a successful procedure were analyzed. RESULTS: Cannulation of the discharging duct was successful in 105 of 119 (88%) of patients, and ductoscopy-directed duct excision could be performed in 104 of 119 (87%). A preoperative ductogram was obtained in 70 patients and was positive in 53 of 70 (76%). In this same group, ductoscopy was positive in 63 of 70 (90%). The pathologic diagnoses were as follows: cancer (5), papilloma (84), and hyperplasia (16), for an abnormal pathology yield of 88%. Hyperplasia and cancer were significant predictors of unsuccessful cannulation. In 22 patients, ductoscopy visualized multiple lesions or abnormalities beyond 4 cm. CONCLUSIONS: Mammary ductoscopy for PND is a safe, effective procedure that offers advantages of a high lesion localization rate and intraoperative guidance, therefore negating the need for a preoperative ductogram. Lesions deep within the ductal system can be identified and removed, which would likely have been missed by blind duct excision.     

保留十二指肠的胰头近全切除术治疗胰头部良性肿瘤

目的:探讨保留十二指肠的胰头近全切除术治疗胰头部良性肿瘤的价值。
方法:回顾性分析2004年1月—2009年12月4例施行保留十二指肠的胰头近全切除术患者的临床资料,均保留了胃肠道的完整性、肝外胆道、胆囊和Oddi括约肌的功能,仅在壶腹周围和胆管后方保留有少量胰腺组织。
结果:病理证实1例为导管内乳头状黏液瘤,1例为内分泌肿瘤,2例为实性假乳头状瘤。术后2例发生胰瘘,经过非手术治疗治愈。围手术期无死亡。随访8~20个月,均未发现复发征象。
结论:对于胰头部良性肿瘤,特别是摘除困难的,保留十二指肠的胰头近全切除术是合理的选择。

     

Diagnosis and management of blunt pancreatic ductal injury in the era of high-resolution computed axial tomography

BACKGROUND: Blunt pancreatic ductal injury is an uncommon but potentially morbid injury that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. Computed axial tomography (CAT) scan has historically been unreliable for the detection of ductal injury, but the advent of high-resolution CAT should improve diagnostic accuracy. METHODS: From our prospectively maintained trauma registry, consecutive patients who had a diagnosis of blunt pancreatic injury with or without a subsequent laparotomy during the time period from January 1995 through December 2004 were retrospectively reviewed. Pancreatic ductal injury was treated exclusively with distal pancreatic resection (DPR) without adjunctive endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. RESULTS: Of 50 patients with blunt pancreatic injury, 33 patients had both preoperative CAT scan and laparotomy. Although the CAT scan interpretation and operative findings corresponded precisely for all pancreatic injuries in only 55% of cases, CAT scan was 91% sensitive and 91% specific for identifying pancreatic ductal injury. Eleven patients with confirmed pancreatic ductal injury underwent DPR. There were no postoperative pancreas-related deaths and only 1 pancreas-related complication among survivors, a patient with a low-output pancreatic fistula that resolved after 5 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Blunt pancreatic ductal injury may be accurately diagnosed with preoperative CAT scan, without adjunctive endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and is effectively and safely treated with DPR.     

Surgical treatment of pancreatic insulinomas in the era of laparoscopy

Background: Laparoscopic resection has been increasingly reported for pancreatic insulinomas. This report evaluates our experience with surgical treatment for pancreatic insulinomas in this era of laparoscopy and reviews the application, safety, and outcome of this surgical approach reported in the literature. Methods: In a consecutive series of 10 patients with pancreatic insulinomas, laparoscopic resection was performed for selected patients after routine preoperative localizations. The outcome of this operative strategy was reviewed together with reported cases involving laparoscopic resection of pancreatic insulinomas. Results: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy or enucleation was performed for four patients with tumors located at the body or tail of the pancreas, whereas open enucleation was performed for six patients with tumors located at the pancreatic head. Pancreatic leak developed in one laparoscopic and two open enucleations. A review of reported cases in the literature showed that 61 of 69 attempted laparoscopic pancreatic resections for insulinomas were performed successfully. All except two tumors were located at the body or tail of the pancreas. For 42 cases with detailed information, 41 tumors at the pancreas body or tail were removed successfully by enucleation (n = 24) or distal pancreatic resection (n = 17), and one tumor at the pancreatic head was enucleated successfully. Pancreatic fistula, the most frequent complication, occurred in 8 (19%) of 42 laparoscopic resections. Conclusions: Laparoscopic resection of pancreatic insulinomas is safe and feasible for tumors located at the body or tail of the pancreas. Its application for tumors located at the pancreatic head needs further evaluation.     

Main pancreatic ductal anatomy can direct choice of modality for treating pancreatic pseudocysts (surgery versus percutaneous drainage)

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that pancreatic ductal anatomy may predict the likely success of percutaneous drainage of pseudocysts of the pancreas. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Various modalities are currently applied to pseudocysts, with little or no data to aid in the choice of management strategy. Pancreatic ductal anatomy was assessed and a system to categorize ductal changes was established. METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of pancreatic pseudocyst were evaluated from 1985 to 2000. Two hundred fifty-three patients have been included in this series. Pancreatic ductal anatomy was defined using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and categorized as a normal duct, a stricture, or complete cut-off of the pancreatic duct. Communication between the duct and cyst was noted. RESULTS: Among the 253 patients, 68 (27%) had spontaneous resolution. Fifty of the remaining 185 had percutaneous drainage and 148 (13 of whom failed to respond to percutaneous drainage) had surgery. There were no deaths in either group. Mean length of time with catheter drainage among all percutaneous drainage patients was 79.2 +/- 19.6 days. Patients with normal pancreatic ducts and those with strictures but no communication between the duct and the cyst who had percutaneous drainage had a much shorter length of hospital stay (6.1 +/- 4.6 days) than patients with strictures and duct-cyst communication and patients with complete cut-off of the duct (33.5 +/- 5.2 days and 39.1 +/- 7.9 days, respectively). Length of drainage also correlated with ductal anatomy. All patients with chronic pancreatitis failed to respond to percutaneous drainage. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic ductal anatomy provides a clear correlation with the failure and successes of pseudocysts managed by percutaneous drainage as well as predicting the total length of drainage. Percutaneous drainage is best applied to patients with normal ducts and is acceptably applied to patients with stricture but no cyst-duct communication.     

Temporary fibrin glue occlusion of the main pancreatic duct in the prevention of intra-abdominal complications after pancreatic resection: prospective randomized trial

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether temporary occlusion of the main pancreatic duct with human fibrin glue decreases the incidence of intra-abdominal complications after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) or distal pancreatectomy (DP). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: To the authors' knowledge, there are no randomized studies comparing outcomes after pancreatic resection with or without main pancreatic duct occlusion by injection of fibrin glue. Of three nonrandomized studies, two reported no fistulas after intracanal injection and ductal occlusion with fibrin glue after PD with immediate pancreatodigestive anastomosis, while another study reported no protective effect of glue injection. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, single-blinded, multicenter study, conducted between January 1995 and January 1999, included 182 consecutive patients undergoing PD followed by immediate pancreatic anastomosis or DP, whether for benign or malignant tumor or for chronic pancreatitis. One hundred two underwent pancreatic resection followed by ductal occlusion with fibrin glue (made slowly resorbable by the addition of aprotinin); 80 underwent resection without ductal occlusion. The main end point was the number of patients with one or more of the following intra-abdominal complications: pancreatic or other digestive tract fistula, intra-abdominal collections (infected or not), acute pancreatitis, or intra-abdominal or digestive tract hemorrhage. Severity factors included postoperative mortality, repeat operations, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: The two groups were similar in pre- and intraoperative characteristics except that there were significantly more patients in the ductal occlusion group who were receiving octreotide, who had reinforcement of their anastomosis by fibrin glue, and who had fibrotic pancreatic stumps. However, the rate of patients with one or more intra-abdominal complications, and notably with pancreatic fistula, did not differ significantly between the two groups. There was still no significant difference found after statistical adjustment for these patient characteristic discrepancies, confirming the inefficacy of fibrin glue. The rate of intra-abdominal complications was significantly higher in the presence of a normal, nonfibrotic pancreatic stump and main pancreatic duct diameter less than 3 mm, whereas reinforcement of the anastomosis with fibrin glue or use of octreotide did not influence outcome. In multivariate analysis, however, normal pancreatic parenchyma was the only independent risk factor for intra-abdominal complications. No significant differences were found in the severity of complications between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ductal occlusion by intracanal injection of fibrin glue decreases neither the rate nor the severity of intra-abdominal complications after pancreatic resection.     

An alternative pancreatic anastomosis following pancreaticoduodenectomy

Pancreatic head resection and reconstruction is technically challenging. Eight patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for either ductal adenocarcinoma (n = 7) or neuroendocrine tumor (n = 1) in the head of the pancreas with a dilated pancreatic duct. The pancreatic stump could not be mobilized to form a standard pancreaticogastrostomy or a pancreaticojejunostomy following resection because of a complete fixation to the splenic vein (n = 2), common hepatic artery (n = 1), or mesentery (n = 3) or inadequate length of the pancreatic remnant (n = 2). After laying open the pancreatic duct along the pancreatic transection margin in the ventral aspect of the pancreas, a longitudinal ventral pancreaticojejunostomy was performed using polydioxanone 3/0 sutures. The average time taken to create this pancreatic anastomosis was less than 10 minutes. This longitudinal ventral pancreatic anastomosis is quick, easy to perform, and a safe alternative method for pancreatic reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy.     

联合血管切除重建的机器人胰腺切除术治疗局部进展期胰腺癌

目的 探讨联合血管切除重建的机器人胰腺手术在局部进展期胰腺癌治疗中的可行性、安全性。方法 回顾性分析我院外科自2011年8月至2017年9月期间完成的联合血管切除重建的胰腺癌根治术59例病人的临床资料,根据手术方式分为机器人组（n=20）和开腹组（n=39）。其中,53例病理诊断为胰腺导管腺癌,6例为胰腺导管内乳头状黏液瘤癌变。均为局部进展期,Ⅱ期53例,Ⅲ期6例。对比分析两组病人术中与术后恢复情况。结果 机器人组手术时间为（328.9±17.8） min。术中估计出血量（568.4±72.6） mL。术后并发B/C级胰漏4例,胆漏1例,术后出血4例,3例接受再次手术。术后住院时间为（28.8±5.7） d。开腹组手术时间为（358.5±17.2） min。术中估计出血量（801.3±113.2） mL。术后并发B/C级胰漏12例,胆漏5例,术后出血4例,3例接受再次手术。术后住院时间为（31.3±5.1） d。两组病人手术治疗后均痊愈出院,无死亡病例。机器人组术中估计出血量较少（P=0.032）,术后住院时间较短（P=0.011）,差异具有统计学意义。结论 联合血管切除重建的机器人胰腺手术是安全可行的。     

Usefulness of dynamic magnetic resonance pancreatography with secretin [correction of secretion] injection for evaluating pancreatic exocrine function after pancreatogastric reconstructive surgery

Background/Purpose: The usefulness of dynamic magnetic resonance pancreatography (MRP) with secretin injection as a new method of assessing pancreatic exocrine function was evaluated in patients undergoing pancreatogastrostomy. Methods: A series of 12 patients who had undergone pancreatogastrostomy were classified into group 1 (9 patients whose pancreas was normal preoperatively) and group 2 (3 patients with a firm pancreas accompanied by distended pancreatic ducts). The pancreatic exocrine function was evaluated using the changes in maximum pancreatic duct diameter and the intensity ratio calculated by tracing the contour line on the images of pancreatic juice secretion newly occurring after dynamic MRP with prior secretin injection. Results: Clear visualization of the pancreatic duct by MRP was achieved in all 12 patients, and a decrease in pancreatic duct diameter was evident postoperatively in group 2. Pancreatic juice secretion was well visualized on MRP images following secretin injection in 10 patients but not in 2 patients of group 2. Higher intensity ratios were noted in group 1 than in group 2. Conclusions: Dynamic MRP with secretion injection enables clear verification of pancreatic juice secretion on images and permits objective evaluation of pancreatic exocrine function. It therefore is a useful procedure for assessing pancreatic exocrine function after resection of the pancreas. Received: August 16, 2001 / Accepted: August 5, 2002 Acknowledgments. The authors extend their gratitude to Ms. Megumi Nakajima for her helpful collaboration in MRP image processing. Offprint requests to: S. Ohhigashi     

中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值对胰腺腺癌根治术后患者的预后评估

目的探讨中性粒细胞计数与淋巴细胞计数比(NLR)对胰腺腺癌根治术后患者预后的评估价值。方法回顾性分析郑州大学第一附属医院肝胆胰外科行胰腺癌根治术的77例患者的临床资料,通过术前的血常规结果计算出NLR值,取NLR中位数2.63为截点将患者分为高NLR和低NLR 2组。比较2组患者术后第1年、第3年的生存率,并分别对其影响因素进行分析。结果低NLR组第1年、第3年的生存率分别为89.2%、40.5%,均高于高NLR组的65.7%、11.4%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);单因素及多因素分析提示NLR为胰腺癌根治术后患者预后的影响因素(P<0.05)。结论外周血高NLR是一个提示胰腺癌预后较差的指标。     

影响胰头部病变细胞学准确性的临床病理学因素探讨

目的探讨影响胰头部病变细胞学准确性的临床病理学因素。方法对过去10年间94例合并慢性胰腺炎胰头部肿物的细胞学、临床病理学和临床随访资料进行回顾性分析。胰腺的外科病理学包括肿物大小和肿物的组成,肿物的组成包括癌的生长方式和肿物及肿物旁1cm内的胰管上皮组织结构,癌的生长方式包括团块状、巢状和弥漫性三种,胰管上皮组织结构按照胰管内皮细胞瘤形成（pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia,PanIN）分类标准分成PanIN1、PanIN2和PanIN3三类。以判断细胞学筛检胰头癌的准确性,并探讨影响细胞学准确性的临床病理学因素。结果病理诊断为胰腺癌46例,慢性胰腺炎5例,相应的细胞学阳性29例,可疑癌细胞5例,不典型性增生10例其中5例为癌,增生性胰管上皮组织3例,因受血细胞干扰或因细胞成分少而无法判断者分别为1和3例。随访判断为慢性胰腺炎者43例。肿物≤2．5cm者细胞学准确性为84．2％,肿物〉2．5cm者细胞学准确性为71．9％,依癌的生长方式细胞学判断胰腺癌的准确性以团块状和巢状生长方式较好,而弥漫性生长则较差。结论癌的生长方式是影响细胞学准确性的重要因素,细胞学对不典型性增生的性质的判断上仍有待于进一步研究。     

胰管支架治疗高三酰甘油血症性胰腺炎的疗效：附33例报告

背景与目的 高三酰甘油血症性胰腺炎（HTGP）发病率逐年增高,至今没有相关的治疗指南,目前主要采用以降脂为主的保守治疗,但治疗效果并不理想,病死率和并发症发生率仍然较高,预后也相对较差,因此单纯的保守治疗存在一定局限性。本研究评价胰管支架置入治疗HTGP患者的有效性和安全性,以期为临床治疗提供新的思路。方法 回顾分析作者单位2017年1月—2020年7月所有经胰管支架置入治疗的HTGP患者临床资料,根据纳入与排除标准筛选入组病例。统计纳入病例的胰管梗阻情况;比较入院及治疗48 h后的APACHE II评分、血清甘油三酯（TG）水平、血糖水平;记录治疗后并发症发生率、病死率、新发器官功能衰竭发生率、禁食时间、住院时间、住院花费等。结果 共纳入33例患者,其中男15例,女18例;33例患者平均年龄（37.42±9.69）岁,血清TG水平中位数19.83（11.85~39.18）mmol/L;其中16例存在胰管蛋白栓,胰管蛋白栓在轻、中、重度HTGP中的发生率分别为17%、56%、100%,与无胰管蛋白栓患者比较,有胰管蛋白栓的患者病情更重。2例（6%）发生与ERCP有关的血清淀粉酶升高;3例（9%）发生术后并发症。所有患者通过胰管支架全部治愈,于入院后3（2~5）d恢复经口进食,住院时间中位数为5（3~9）d,治疗48 h后APACHE II评分较入院时降低约70%,发病48 h内行胰管支架置入的患者禁食时间、住院时间较发病48 h后行胰管支架置入的患者分别缩短33%、38%,住院花费减少33%,差异均有统计学意义（均P<0.05）。结论 早期胰管支架治疗可以快速缓解HTGP患者的临床症状、大幅度减少住院时间并改善患者预后,是一种安全有效的治疗新策略。     

Jejunal Loop Drainage Versus Direct Pancreatic Duct Drainage After Pancreatic Head Resection

Purpose Perioperative mortality after pancreatic head resection has fallen to below 5% in high-volume centers, but dehiscence of the pancreatojejunostomy remains a major concern. Despite various methods of protection, insufficiency rates still range from 6% to 19%. External drainage of pancreatic juice from the anastomotic site has shown promising results in the last decade. We compared the morbidity and mortality of two widely used drainage systems. Methods The subjects were 143 patients who underwent pancreatic head resection, followed by jejunal loop drainage with the top of the drain being placed between the pancreatojejunostomy and hepaticojejunostomy in 89, and by direct drainage of the pancreatic duct in 54. Results The median age was similar in both groups. Pancreatic fistula developed in 3 (5%) patients with a pancreatic drain and 6 (7%) with a loop drain. Breakdown of the pancreatojejunostomy occurred in 1 (2%) patient with a pancreatic drain and 2 (2%) with a loop drain. The overall perioperative mortality was 0.7%. The surgical and medical complications and postoperative course were similar in the two groups. Conclusion The choice of drainage system did not impact on the number or severity of postoperative complications or survival, indicating that loop drainage is as safe and effective as direct pancreatic duct drainage.     

Pancreatojejunal Leakage After Pancreas Head Resection: Anatomic and Surgeon-Related Factors

Leakage of pancreatojejunostomies after pancreatic resections remains a challenge even at high volume centers. We here utilized a simple pancreas anatomy classification to study the effect of pancreatic anatomy on the development of pancreatic fistula after pancreas resection and pancreatojejunostomies. Also, the effect of surgical experience on the development of pancreatic fistulas was studied. Three hundred ninety-one patients undergoing pancreatic resections and reconstruction with a pancreatojejunostomy were studied. Closed suction drain was placed behind the anastomosis, and drainage fluid was collected postoperatively. A twofold increase over the serum amylase level was considered a fistula and was classified as described by the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula Definition. In 67 patients, the structural quality of the pancreatic parenchyma and the diameter of the pancreatic duct were classified as being <2 mm (2 points), between 2 and 5 mm (1 point), or >5 mm (0 points). The pancreatic parenchyma was assessed as being soft (2 points), intermediate (1 point), or hard (0 points). Pancreatic leakage as a function of surgeons' experience was also studied. Leakage was found in 25.1%, 8.9% being of type A, 10.2% being of type B, and 5.9% of type C. Pancreatic fistulas were only observed in patients with a score of 2 points or more. Age over 70 years, operations >6 h, and extended lymphadenectomy or surgeons experience were not associated with a higher leakage rate. In this study, leakage after pancreatojejunostomy was only associated with pancreatic anatomy, classified with a simple score. That score might improve comparability of studies on pancreatic leakage. Furthermore, drainage of pancreatic anastomosis might safely be omitted in patients with a low risk score for leakage.     

Pancreatic leak after left pancreatectomy is reduced following main pancreatic duct ligation

BACKGROUND: Although much is known about the long-term outcome of patients undergoing left (distal) pancreatectomy for malignancy, comparatively little is known about the optimal management strategy for the residual transected pancreatic parenchyma and the divided pancreatic duct. Clinicopathological and operative factors that may contribute to postoperative pancreatic leak were evaluated. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of 126 patients who underwent left pancreatectomy between June 1990 and December 1999 at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center was performed. RESULTS: Indications for left pancreatectomy included pancreatic neoplasms (n = 42; 33.3 per cent), en bloc resection for management of retroperitoneal sarcoma (n = 21; 16.7 per cent), gastric adenocarcinoma (n = 14; 11.1 per cent), renal cell carcinoma (n = 11; 8.7 per cent) and other tumours or benign conditions (n = 38; 30.2 per cent). Pancreatic parenchymal closure was accomplished by a hand-sewn technique, mechanical stapling, or a combination of the two in 83, 20 and 15 patients respectively. No form of parenchymal closure was used in eight patients. Identification of the pancreatic duct and suture ligation was performed in 73 patients (57.9 per cent). Twenty-five patients (19.8 per cent) developed a pancreatic leak. For subgroups having duct ligation or no duct ligation, pancreatic leak rates were 9.6 per cent (seven of 73 patients) and 34.0 per cent (18 of 53 patients) respectively (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis including clinicopathological and operative factors indicated that failure to ligate the pancreatic duct was the only feature associated with an increased risk for pancreatic leak (odds ratio 5.0 (95 per cent confidence interval 2.0 to 10.0); P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Pancreatic leak remains a common complication after left pancreatectomy. The incidence of leak is reduced significantly when the pancreatic duct is identified and directly ligated during left pancreatectomy.     

Contribution of endoscopic retrograde pancreatography in management of complications following distal pancreatic trauma.

Pancreatic trauma is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Treatment of this condition is controversial. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the management of distal pancreatic trauma and its complications, assessing the role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The clinical course and surgical management of 38 patients with distal pancreatic trauma were analyzed in a university hospital in Paris, France. Twenty-five patients were referred after initial treatment elsewhere. As initial treatment, patients underwent external drainage (n = 25), pancreatic resection (n = 6), laparotomy alone (n = 5), and no surgery (n = 2). Nineteen patients with pancreatic duct injury and no pancreatic resection developed fistulae (n = 14) or pseudocysts (n = 5). Only four of these patients recovered without a subsequent pancreatic resection or internal drainage procedure. In the absence of duct injury, patients recovered without the need for pancreatic resection. ERCP was performed in 16 cases and provided critical information on duct status influencing surgical management. We conclude that the presence of pancreatic trauma duct injury is a major determinant of complications and outcome after pancreatic trauma. It is optimally managed by pancreatic resection. ERCP is valuable in providing a definitive diagnosis of duct injury, thereby directing treatment.