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.     

无支架胰管成型法胰肠吻合在胰十二指肠切除术的应用

目的探讨无支架管引流胰管成型法胰肠吻合在胰十二指肠切除术的应用方法和胰瘘的预防。方法自2012年1月至12月,27例胰十二指肠切除术胰肠吻合全部行胰管成型,不放置支架管内引流或外引流。结果27例胰管内径2.5～8.0 mm,全部完成胰管成型胰肠吻合术,根据国际及国内胰瘘诊断标准,胰瘘发生2例,发生率7.4%,均为A级胰瘘,术后总住院时间10～14天。结论无支架管引流胰管成型法胰肠吻合简化了胰十二指肠手术,胰瘘发生率较低,明显缩短了住院时间。     

External drainage of pancreatic duct with a stent to reduce leakage rate of pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a prospective randomized trial

OBJECTIVE: Pancreatic fistula is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy. External drainage of pancreatic duct with a stent has been shown to reduce pancreatic fistula rate of pancreaticojejunostomy in a few retrospective or prospective nonrandomized studies, but no randomized controlled trial has been reported thus far. This single-center prospective randomized trial compared the results of pancreaticoduodenectomy with external drainage stent versus no stent for pancreaticojejunal anastomosis. METHODS: A total of 120 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy with end-to-side pancreaticojejunal anastomosis were randomized to have either an external stent inserted across the anastomosis to drain the pancreatic duct (n = 60) or no stent (n = 60). Duct-to-mucosa anastomosis was performed in all cases. RESULTS: The 2 groups were comparable in demographic data, underlying pathologies, pancreatic consistency, and duct diameter. Stented group had a significantly lower pancreatic fistula rate compared with nonstented group (6.7% vs. 20%, P = 0.032). Radiologic or surgical intervention for pancreatic fistula was required in 1 patient in the stented group and 4 patients in the nonstented group. There were no significant differences in overall morbidity (31.7% vs. 38.3%, P = 0.444) and hospital mortality (1.7% vs. 5%, P = 0.309). Two patients in the nonstented group and none in the stented group died of pancreatic fistula. Hospital stay was significantly shorter in the stented group (mean 17 vs. 23 days, P = 0.039). On multivariate analysis, no stenting and pancreatic duct diameter <3 mm were significant risk factors of pancreatic fistula. CONCLUSION: External drainage of pancreatic duct with a stent reduced leakage rate of pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy.     

The Impact of Internal or External Transanastomotic Pancreatic Duct Stents Following Pancreaticojejunostomy. Which One Is Better? A Meta-analysis

Background

The use of pancreatic duct stent to improve postoperative outcomes of pancreatic anastomosis remains a matter of debate, and the value of stenting when performing anastomosis for normal pancreas (soft and duct less than 3 mm) needs further study. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to evaluate the perioperative outcomes of patients with stenting during pancreatic anastomosis and compare the effect of external stent with that of internal stent indirectly.

Methods

A systematic literature search (EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) was performed to identify studies evaluating external stent or internal stent. Included literature was assessed and extracted by two independent reviewers. A meta-analysis including comparative studies providing data on patients with and without external stenting or internal stenting during pancreaticojejunostomy anastomosis was performed.

Results

Thirteen articles including 1,867 patients were identified for inclusion: five randomized controlled trials study and eight observational clinical studies. Meta-analyses revealed that use of external stent was associated with a significantly decreased risk for pancreatic fistula in total (odds ratio (OR) 0.47; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.31–0.71; P?=?0.0004; I ²?=?3 %), pancreatic fistula in normal pancreas(OR 0.5; 95 % CI 0.30–0.82; P?=?0.007; I ²?=?5 %), and overall morbidity(OR 0.64; 95 % CI 0.45–0.90; P?=?0.01; I ²?=?0 %); however, the meta-analysis showed that there were no significant differences between internal stenting and non-stenting groups as regards perioperative outcomes and that in fact it may increase pancreatic fistula rate in normal pancreas(OR 1.97; 95 % CI 1.05–3.69; P?=?0.03; I ²?=?0 %).

Conclusions

The results of this analysis demonstrate a trend toward reduced pancreatic fistula with the use of external pancreatic stents in pancreaticojejunostomy. An internal stent does not impact development of fistula and that in fact it was not useful in a soft pancreas. Our conclusion may be limited to stenting during the duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy anastomosis, and the value of stenting during invagination anastomosis needs further study.     

�����ȿճ��Ǻ��ȹ��������������ʵ�������Ӧ�ü�ֵ�о�����64�����棩

??Application of single layer pancreaticojejunostomy with external drainage of the pancreatic duct in patients with soft pancreas during pancreaticoduodenectomy??A report of 64 cases YANG Feng??JIN Chen??LI Ji??et al. Department of Pancreatic Surgery??Huashan Hospital??Pancreatic Disease Institute??Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University??Shanghai 200040, China
Corresponding author??FU De-liang??E-mail??surgeonfu@163.com
Abstract Objective To investigate the application value of single layer pancreaticojejunostomy with external drainage of the pancreatic duct in patients with soft pancreas during pancreaticoduodenectomy. Methods The clinical data of 64 patients with soft pancreas who received single layer pancreaticojejunostomy with external drainage of the pancreatic duct during pancreaticoduodenectomy between February 2011 and November 2012 in Department of Pancreatic Surgery??Huashan Hospital??Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University were analyzed retrospectively. Intraoperative condition and postoperative therapeutic effect were observed. Results The operation time of the 64 patients was 6.2??4.0-9.5??h??with intraoperative blood loss of 400??50-2900??mL??anastomosis time of 15.6??11-25??min??and postoperative hospital stay of 14.2 (8-43) d. A total of 35 cases (54.7%) had postoperative complications??including 30 cases of pancreatic fistula ??46.9%??composed of 23 cases of grade A and 7 cases of grade B. There were 3 cases ??4.7%??of delayed gastric emptying??4 cases ??6.3%??of intra-abdominal abscess??1 case ??1.6%??of intra-abdominal hemorrhage and 3 cases ??4.7%?? of incision infection. All the complications were cured after corresponding treatment and none had reoperation or perioperative death. The Clavien-Dindo classification of surgical complications: level ?? in 3 cases??4.7%????level ?? in 27 cases ??42.2%????and level ??a in 5 cases ??7.8%??. Conclusion Single layer pancreaticojejunostomy with external drainage of the pancreatic duct during pancreaticoduodenectomy can obviously reduce clinically significant pancreatic fistula??B/C grade????is especially appropriate for those with soft pancreas. It is worthy of further clinical promotion.     

单层胰空肠吻合胰管外引流在胰腺质地柔软病例应用价值研究（附64例报告）

目的 探讨单层胰空肠吻合胰管外引流在胰腺质地柔软病人胰十二指肠切除术（PD）中的应用价值。方法 回顾性分析2011年2月至2012年11月复旦大学附属华山医院胰腺外科行PD的64例胰腺质地柔软病人的临床资料,均采用单层胰空肠吻合胰管外引流,观察术中情况及术后临床疗效。结果 64例病人手术时间6.2（4.0~9.5）h,术中出血量400（50~2900）mL,胰空肠吻合时间15.6（11~25）min,术后住院时间14.2（8~43）d。35例（54.7%）发生术后并发症,其中胰瘘30例（46.9%）,分别为A级23例和B级7例;胃排空延迟3例（4.7%）;腹腔内脓肿4例（6.3%）;腹腔内出血1例（1.6%）;切口感染3例（4.7%）。所有并发症均经相应治疗后治愈,无再次手术或围手术期死亡发生。Clavien-Dindo术后并发症分级：Ⅰ级 3例（4.7%）,Ⅱ级 27例（42.2%）,Ⅲa级 5例（7.8%）。结论 单层胰空肠吻合胰管外引流可减少PD术后有临床意义的胰瘘（B、C级）发生,尤其适用于胰腺质地柔软病人,值得临床推广。     

Jejunum or Stomach for the Pancreatic Anastomosis After Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Objective: The authors hypothesized that pancreaticogastrostomy is safer than pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy and less likely to be associated with a postoperative pancreatic fistula.Summary Background Data: Pancreatic fistula is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy, occurring in 10% to 20% of patients. Nonrandomized reports have suggested that pancreaticogastrostomy is less likely than pancreaticojejunostomy to be associated with postoperative complications.Methods: Between May 1993 and January 1995, the findings for 145 patients were analyzed in this prospective trial at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. After giving their appropriate preoperative informed consent, patients were randomly assigned to pancreaticogastrostomy or pancreaticojejunostomy after completion of the pancreaticoduodenal resection. All pancreatic anastomoses were performed in two layers without pancreatic duct stents and with closed suction drainage. Pancreatic fistula was defined as drainage of greater than 50 mL of amylase-rich fluid on or after postoperative day 10.Results: The pancreaticogastrostomy (n=73) and pancreaticojejunostomy (n=72) groups were comparable with regard to multiple parameters, including demographics, medical history, preoperative laboratory values, and intraoperative factors, such as operative time, blood transfusions, pancreatic texture, length of pancreatic remnant mobilized, and pancreatic duct diameter. The overall incidence of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy was 11.7% (171145). The incidence of pancreatic fistula was similar for the pancreaticogastrostomy (12.3%) and pancreaticojejunostomy (11.1%) groups. Pancreatisc fistula was associated with a significant prolongation of postoperative hospital stay (36±5 vs. 15±1 days) (p<0.001). Factors significantly increasing the risk of pancreatic fistula by univariate logistic regression analysis included ampullary or duodenal disease, soft pancreatic texture, longer operative time, greater intraoperative red blood cell transfusions, and lower surgical volume (p<0.05). A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed the factors most highly associated with pancreatic fistula to be lower surgical volume and ampullary or duodenal disease in the resected specimen.Conclusions: Pancreatic fistula is a common complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy, with an incidence most strongly associated with surgical volume and underlying disease. These data do not support the hypothesis that pancreaticogastrostomy is safer than pancreaticojejunostomy or is associated with a lower incidence of pancreatic fistula.     

Reduced complication rate after modified binding purse-string-mattress sutures pancreatogastrostomy versus duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy

Background and PurposeA 2011 metaanalysis demonstrated no difference in postoperative complications between pancreatogastrostomy and pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy with the limitation of heterogeneity among the analysed studies. The present study compares postoperative complications after duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy with a modified binding purse-string-mattress sutures pancreatogastrostomy in a teaching hospital.MethodsOne-hundred consecutive pancreaticoduodenectomies were reconstructed either by pancreaticojejunostomy (n = 50, 2004–2008) or modified pancreatogastrostomy (n = 50, 2008–2011). Prospective patients' data was retrospectively analysed for postoperative complications.Main findingsComplications occurred significantly less after modified pancreatogastrostomy compared to pancreaticojejunostomy (p = 0.016). This was mainly due to a significantly lower rate of pancreatic fistula (p = 0.029), especially a lower rate of clinically relevant B and C fistulas (p = 0.011). In particular, the fistula rate was reduced in patients with a soft, non-fibrotic pancreas (p = 0.0231). Postoperative mortality was also lower after modified pancreatogastrostomy (p = 0.042). Uni- and multivariate analyses revealed a soft, non-fibrotic pancreatic texture (odds ratio 5.4, p = 0.028), a non-dilatated pancreatic duct (p = 0.047) and pancreaticojejunostomy (odds ratio 10.7, p = 0.026) as independent, negative factors for pancreatic fistula.ConclusionIn a teaching hospital, modified pancreatogastrostomy seems to be superior to pancreaticojejunostomy regarding pancreatic fistula, especially in patients with a soft, non-fibrotic pancreas and/or a small duct. An ongoing prospective randomised multicentre trial (RECOPANC) might confirm these results.     

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.     

Complications with Reconstruction Procedures in Pylorus-preserving Pancreaticoduodenectomy

This study was conducted retrospectively to examine the efficacy of Traverso reconstruction compared with Billroth I reconstruction after pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, in the prevention of several complications. Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy is an aggressive surgery, and insufficiency of the pancreaticoenterostomy plays an important role in the postoperative progression. However, reports examining the correlation between pancreatic fistula and the type of reconstruction after pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy have been limited. Sixty-four patients who underwent pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (33 reconstructed by the Traverso technique and 31 reconstructed by the Billroth I technique) were entered into this study to investigate whether the complications were related to the type of reconstruction procedure employed. Insufficiency of the pancreaticojejunostomy, including major leakage and pancreatic fistula, occurred in 18.2% of the reconstructions by Billroth I and 0% of the reconstructions by Traverso (p < 0.05). In addition, jejunal obstruction by recurrent tumor in the remnant pancreas was observed in 3 patients reconstructed by Billroth I, and required palliative bypass surgery. Reconstruction by the Traverso procedure after pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy is a safe surgical method and has an advantage for advanced pancreatic cancer, which has high risk of jejunal obstruction by recurrent tumor in the remnant pancreas.     

胰十二指肠切除术中胰肠吻合口的重建

胰肠吻合口的重建是胰十二指肠切除术中重要的组成步骤,也是影响其成败的关键。根据重建方式的不同,主要分为胰腺-空肠吻合和胰胃吻合。根据胰腺残端与空肠吻合位置的不同,分为端端吻合和端侧吻合。在目前的随机对照研究中,胰腺-空肠吻合和胰胃吻合在胰漏的发生率方面无明显的差异。捆绑式胰肠和捆绑式胰胃吻合分别建立在经典胰肠（胃）吻合的基础上,操作简便,预防胰肠吻合口瘘效果确切。胰肠吻合口成功与否的影响因素包括胰腺质地和胰管大小等,胰管支撑管的放置可能有助于减少胰肠吻合口瘘的发生。胰十二指肠切除术中的消化道重建,应遵循简单、有效的原则,才能将胰肠吻合口瘘的发生减至最低。     

Internal Pancreatic Stent Causing Irreversible Dilatation of Pancreatic Duct

A 28-year-old woman underwent a pylorus preserving Whipple procedure for pancreatic serous cystadenoma located on the head of the pancreas. During the operation, an internal stent (7F silastic catheter, 9 cm in length) was placed within the pancreatic duct in the area of pancreaticojejunal end-to-end Dunking type anastomosis to prevent development of fistula. The stent was positioned so that one third of its length would lie into the pancreatic duct, and it was anchored to the periductal pancreatic tissue with only one rapidly absorbable chromic suture. Leakage from the anastomosis was not observed, and she was discharged without any complaint. Early postoperative abdominal CT examination revealed that the stent was retained within the normal caliber pancreatic duct (Fig. 1a). Six months after the operation, she began to complain to epigastric pain triggered by the meals. The laboratory analysis was normal, particularly liver biochemical tests and serum amylase. The internal pancreatic stent within the dilated pancreatic duct was detected by an additional CT examination (Fig. 1b). The stent was removed endoscopically at the third attempt. The pain was resolved after its removal. Control CT examination which was taken at the 18th month after removal of the stent showed dilatation of the pancreatic duct (Fig. 2a). The patient remained free of any complaint, although regressed pancreatic duct dilatation has persisted over 4 years of follow-up (Fig. 2b).     

�ȳ��ǺϿ�֧�Ź��������������������ٴ���Ч�Ƚ�

目的比较胰十二指肠切除术(pancreaticoduodenectomy,PD)后胰肠吻合口支撑管的内引出与外引出的早期临床疗效。方法回顾性分析内蒙古医科大学附属医院2008年10月至2013年2月间施行PD的118例临床资料,其中纳入观察组共96例,胰腺吻合口支撑管内引出组54例(56.2%),外引出组42例(43.8%)。比较两组病人术前基本情况、手术时间、术后住院时间、病死率及胰瘘等相关并发症发生情况。结果内引出组发生胰瘘14例(25.9%),外引出组发生胰瘘4例(9.5%),差异有统计学意义(P=0.041)。病人基本情况、术前生化指标、胰腺质地、胰管直径、疾病组成及其他术后并发症(胆瘘、胃肠瘘、二次手术、切口感染、肺部并发症、死亡等)两组间差异无统计学意义。结论在预防胰瘘上胰管支撑管外引出优于内引出,值得推广。     

Does pancreatic duct stenting decrease the rate of pancreatic fistula following pancreaticoduodenectomy? Results of a prospective randomized trial

Pancreatic duct stenting remains an attractive strategy to reduce the incidence of pancreatic fistulas following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with encouraging results in both retrospective and prospective studies. We performed a prospective randomized trial to test the hypothesis that internal pancreatic duct stenting reduces the development of pancreatic fistulas following PD. Two hundred thirty-eight patients were randomized to either receive a pancreatic stent (S) or no stent (NS), and stratified according to the texture of the pancreatic remnant (soft/normal versus hard). Four patients were excluded from the study; in three instances due to a pancreatic duct that was too small to cannulate and in the other instance because a total pancreatectomy was performed. Patients who randomized to the S group had a 6-cm-long segment of a plastic pediatric feeding tube used to stent the pancreaticojejunostomy anastomosis. In patients with a soft pancreas, 57 randomized to the S group and 56 randomized to the NS group. In patients with a hard pancreas, 58 randomized to the S group and 63 randomized to the NS group. The S and NS groups for the entire study population, as well as for the subgroup of high-risk patients with soft pancreata, were similar as regard to demographics, past medical history, preoperative symptoms, preoperative procedures, and intraoperative data. The pancreatic fistula rate for the entire study population was 9.4%. The fistula rates in the S and NS subgroups with hard pancreata were similar, at 1.7% and 4.8% (P=0.4), respectively. The fistula rates in the S and NS subgroups with soft pancreata were also similar, at 21.1% and 10.7% (P=0.1), respectively. A nonstatistically significant increase in the pancreatic fistula rate in the S group persisted after adjusting for the operating surgeon and technical details of the operation (e.g., anastomotic technique, anastomotic orientation, pancreatic duct size, and number of intra-abdominal drains placed). In patients with soft pancreata, 63% percent of the pancreatic fistulas in stented patients required adjustment to the clinical pathway (including two deaths), compared to 47% of the pancreatic fistulas in patients in the NS group (P=0.3). Internal pancreatic duct stenting does not decrease the frequency or the severity of postoperative pancreatic fistulas. Presented at the Forty-Seventh Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Los Angeles, California, May 20–24, 2006.     

贯穿缝合式胰肠吻合术83例报告

目的：探讨贯穿缝合式胰肠吻合术的临床应用价值。方法：回顾性分析2006年5月—2014年7月83例胰十二指肠切除术患者的临床资料。患者术中采用贯穿缝合式胰肠吻合术行胰肠吻合,即胰腺切面（而非切缘）与空肠壁、胰管与肠黏膜之间吻合。结果：83例中胰头癌32例,壶腹部周围癌42例,其他疾病9例;根治性胰十二指肠切除81例,非根治性切除2例。手术时间220~350 min,平均290 min;胰肠吻合时间6~22 min,平均8 min。按ISGPF诊断标准,术后具有临床意义的胰瘘8例（9.6%）,均为B级单纯性胰瘘;胆汁漏2例;胃排空障碍6例;无吻合口出血、无再手术和手术死亡病例。结论：采用贯穿缝合式胰肠吻合技术可以有效地防止术后胰肠吻合失败及吻合口出血。

     

Peng’s Binding Pancreaticojejunostomy After Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A French Prospective Study

Background

Pancreatic fistula (PF) is the single most important complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Recently, a 0% rate of PF was reported using a binding pancreaticojejunostomy with intussusception of the pancreatic stump. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of this new binding pancreaticojejunostomy in condition most susceptible to PF, i.e. soft pancreas and non-dilated main pancreatic duct.

Methods

Forty-five consecutive patients with soft pancreas and non-dilated main pancreatic duct underwent a binding pancreaticojejunostomy. Post-operative PF was defined according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Fistula.

Results

Four patients (8.9%) developed a PF. In one case, PF developed on post-operative day 3 due to a technical deficiency. In the three other cases, pancreatic fistula developed after the tenth post-operative day; all the patients had local and/or general co-morbidities before PF occurrence.

Conclusions

Binding pancreaticojejunostomy according to Peng is a safe and secure technique that improves the rate of pancreatic fistula, especially in case of soft texture of the pancreas remnant. However, a 0% rate seems to be hard to achieve because other abdominal and general complications are frequent and can lead to secondary leakage of the pancreatic anastomosis.     

Long-Term Assessments After Pancreaticoduodenectomy with Pancreatic Duct Invagination Anastomosis

Purpose The purpose of this cohort was to evaluate the long-term patency of the anastomosis and the remnant pancreatic functions. Methods Fifty-six consecutive patients undergoing a pancreaticoduodenectomy with pancreatic duct invagination anastomosis were enrolled in this study. During the follow-up, changes in the remnant pancreatic duct size, pancreatic exocrine and endocrine functions, and nutritional status were monitored. Results No seriously activated pancreatic fistula, no hemorrhagic complications, no reoperations, and no in-hospital deaths were observed after surgery. A dilatation of remnant pancreatic duct was detected a total of 37 times (51%) during annual computed tomography (CT) evaluations. Pancreatic dysfunctions were observed in a considerable number of patients (exocrine 4/12, 9/14, and 8/16, endocrine 9/35, 8/27, and 4/16 at 1, 2, and 3 postoperative years, respectively). Functional declines in the remnant pancreas, duct dilatation, and a decrease in the body mass index were observed from the first year. However, these data did not progressively deteriorate thereafter, at least during the first 3 postoperative years. This study demonstrated a significant correlation between the duct dilatation and endocrine dysfunction. Conclusion Our pancreatic duct invagination anastomosis resulted in somewhat limited long-term outcomes, although it did prevent serious complications in the short-term.     

The effect of bilateral U-sutures in pancreaticojejunostomy in 75 consecutive cases

Background: Various technical interventions have been suggested to decrease the frequency of postoperative pancreatic fistulas but the effect is not particularly satisfactory. We have analyzed our application of bilateral U-sutures in pancreaticojejunostomy.

Methods: The pancreatic stump is freed over approximately 2?cm, an appropriate diameter silicone catheter with 2–4 lateral holes was inserted into the remnant pancreatic duct (>2?mm in diameter is required) over 2–3?cm as a stent in 69 patients. In six patients with soft pancreas and very small pancreatic duct (<2?mm in diameter), the silicone catheter was not used. An incision was made on the side of the distal section of the jejunum and end-to-side an invaginated pancreaticojejunostomy was performed using bilateral U-sutures.

Results: Only two (2.67%) cases developed pancreatic ‘biochemical leaks’. None of the 75 patients developed grade B and grade C pancreatic leakage. The overall morbidity was 29.33%. The anastomosis time was 14?minutes on average. There were no symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, dyspepsia and diarrhea, and no dilatation of pancreatic duct was found by CT in 75 patients after discharge from hospital.

Conclusions: Bilateral U-sutures are a safe, simple, and effective technique in pancreaticojejunostomy, preventing the primary complication of anastomotic leakage, and worthy of wide use.     

Duodenopancreatectomía cefálica y tutorización externa del conducto de Wirsung. Resultados de una serie de 80 casos consecutivos

IntroductionThere is controversy regarding the ideal pancreaticojejunostomy technique after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Many authors consider the external Wirsung stenting technique to be associated with a low incidence of fistula, morbidity and mortality. We analyse our experience with this technique.Patients and methodsA retrospective analysis of the morbidity and mortality of a series of 80 consecutive patients who had been treated surgically over a 6.5-year period for pancreatic head or periampullary tumors, performing pancreaticoduodenectomy and pancreaticojejunostomy with external Wirsung duct stenting.ResultsMean patient age was 68.3 ± 9 years, and the resectability rate was 78%. The texture of the pancreas was soft in 51.2% of patients and hard in 48.8%. Pylorus-preserving resection was performed in 43.8%. Adenocarcinoma was the most frequent tumor (68.8%), and R0 was confirmed in 70% of patients. Biochemical fistula was observed in 11.2%, pancreatic fistula grade B in 12.5% and C in 2.5%, whereas the abdominal reoperation rate was 10%. Median postoperative hospital stay was 16 days, and postoperative and 90-day mortality was 2.5%. Delayed gastric emptying was observed in 36.3% of patients, de novo diabetes in 12.5%, and exocrine insufficiency in 3. Patient survival rates after 1, 3 and 5 years were 80.2, 53.6 and 19.2%, respectively.ConclusionsAlthough our low rates of postoperative complications and mortality using external Wirsung duct stenting coincides with other more numerous recent series, it is necessary to perform a comparative analysis with other techniques, including more cases, to choose the best reconstruction technique after pancreaticoduodenectomy.     

Pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy: the impact of a standardized technique of pancreaticojejunostomy

Background The leading cause for morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy is a pancreatic anastomotic leak and fistula. The two most commonly performed anastomoses after pancreaticoduodenectomy are pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) and pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ). The role of standardization on outcomes after pancreaticoduodenectomy has not been sufficiently addressed. Aim The goal is to study the impact of a standardized technique of pancreatic anastomosis (PJ) after pancreaticoduodenectomy in a tertiary referral cancer teaching hospital. Materials and methods A single-institution database was analyzed over 15 years. The entire data were subdivided into two periods, viz., period A (1992 to 2001), when PG (dunking) was predominantly used, and period B (2003–2007), when a standardized technique of PJ (duct to mucosa) was employed. Results There were 144 pancreaticoduodenectomies performed during period A with a pancreatic fistula rate of 16%. During period B, 123 pancreaticoduodenectomies were performed with a pancreatic fistula rate of 3.2% (p < 0.0005). Conclusions It appears that a standardized approach to the pancreatic anastomosis and a consistent practice of a single technique can help to reduce the incidence of complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy.