Risk factors of pancreatic leakage after pancreaticoduodenectomy

AIM: To analyze the risk factors for pancreatic leakage after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and to evaluate whether duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy could reduce the risk of pancreatic leakage. METHODS: Sixty-two patients who underwent PD at our hospital between January 2000 and November 2003 were reviewed retrospectively. The primary diseases of the patients included pancreas cancer, ampullary cancer, bile duct cancer, islet cell cancer, duodenal cancer, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cystadenoma, and gastric cancer. Standard PD was performed for 25 cases, PD with extended lymphadenectomy for 27 cases, pylorus-preserving PD for 10 cases. A duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy was performed for patients with a hard pancreas and a dilated pancreatic duct, and a traditional end-to-end invagination pancreaticojejunostomy for patients with a soft pancreas and a non-dilated duct. Patients were divided into two groups according to the incidence of postoperative pancreaticojejunal anastomotic leakage: 10 cases with leakage and 52 cases without leakage. Seven preoperative and six intraoperative risk factors with the potential to affect the incidence of pancreatic leakage were analyzed with SPSS10.0 software. Logistic regression was then used to determine the effect of multiple factors on pancreatic leakage. RESULTS: Of the 62 patients, 10 (16.13%) were identified as having pancreatic leakage after operation. Other major postoperative complications included delayed gastric emptying (eight patients), abdominal bleeding (four patients), abdominal abscess (three patients) and wound infection (two patients). The overall surgical morbidity was 43.5% (27/62). The hospital mortality in this series was 4.84% (3/62), and the mortality associated with pancreatic fistula was 10% (1/10). Sixteen cases underwent duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy and 1 case (1/16, 6.25%) developed postoperative pancreatic leakage, 46 cases underwent invagination pancreaticojejunostomy and 9 cases (9/46, 19.6%) developed postoperative pancreatic leakage. General risk factors including patient age, gender, history of jaundice, preoperative nutrition, pathological diagnosis and the length of postoperative stay were similar in the two groups. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of pancreatic leakage between the patients who received the prophylactic use of octreotide after surgery and the patients who did not undergo somatostatin therapy. Moreover, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that none of the above factors seemed to be associated with pancreatic fistula. Two intraoperative risk factors, pancreatic duct size and texture of the remnant pancreas, were found to be significantly associated with pancreatic leakage. The incidence of pancreatic leakage was 4.88% in patients with a pancreatic duct size greater than or equal to 3 mm and was 38.1% in those with ducts smaller than 3 mm (P = 0.002). The pancreatic leakage rate was 2.94% in patients with a hard pancreas and was 32.1% in those with a soft pancreas (P = 0.004). Operative time, blood loss and type of resection were similar in the two patient groups. The incidence of pancreatic leakage was 6.25% (1/16) in patients with duct-to-mucosa anastomosis, and was 19.6% (9/46) in those with traditional invagination anastomosis. Although the difference of pancreatic leakage between the two groups was obvious, no statistical significance was found. This may be due to the small number of patients with duct-to-mucosa anastomosis. By further analyzing with multivariate logistic regression, both pancreatic duct size and texture of the remnant pancreas were demonstrated to be independent risk factors (P = 0.007 and 0.017, OR = 11.87 and 15.45). Although anastomotic technique was not a significant factor, pancreatic leakage rate was much less in cases that underwent duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy. CONCLUSION: Pancreatic duct size and texture of the remnant pancreas are risk factors influencing pancreatic leakage after PD. Duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy, as a safe and useful anastomotic technique, can reduce pancreatic leakage rate after PD.     

Surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis

Debilitating abdominal or back pain remains the most common indication for surgery in patients with chronic pancreatitis. The surgical approach to chronic pancreatitis should be individualized based on pancreatic and ductal anatomy, pain characteristics, baseline exocrine and endocrine function, and medical co‐morbidity. No single approach is ideal for all patients with chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic ductal drainage with pancreaticojejunostomy targets patients with a dilated pancreatic duct and produces good early postoperative pain relief; however, 30%–50% of patients experience recurrent symptoms at 5 years. Resection for chronic pancreatitis should be considered (1) when the main pancreatic duct is not dilated, (2) when the pancreatic head is enlarged, (3) when there is suspicion of a malignancy, or (4) when previous pancreaticojejunostomy has failed. Re‐sectional strategies include pancreaticoduodenectomy, distal pancreatectomy, total pancreatectomy, duodenum‐preserving pancreatic head resection (Beger procedure), or local resection of the pancreatic head with longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy (Frey procedure). Superior results are obtained when the pancreatic head is resected, either completely (pancreaticoduodenectomy) or partially (Beger or Frey procedure). Although pylorus‐preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy remains the gold standard resection procedure, there is evidence that newer operations, such as the Beger resection, may be as effective in regard to pain relief and better in respect to nutritional repletion and preservation of endocrine and exocrine function.     

Surgery for chronic obstructive pancreatitis: comparison of end-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy with pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic obstructive pancreatitis usually manifests with intractable pain and recurrent episodes of chronic pancreatic inflammation. The side-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy is used for those patients with a large pancreatic duct. But for the patients with small pancreatic duct, the optimal surgical procedure needs to be evaluated. A prospective study was designed to compare the different results between distal pancreatectomy plus end-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy and pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODOLOGY: The patients were chosen prospectively and randomly to undergo either a distal pancreatectomy plus end-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy or pancreaticoduodenectomy in the last 3 years. Eighteen patients with chronic obstructive pancreatitis were randomly divided into two groups. Ten patients (group A) underwent distal pancreatectomy plus end-to-side and ductal to mucosal pancreaticojejunostomy, and the other 8 patients (group B) underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy were compared. RESULTS: The operative time was significantly shorter and operative blood loss was less in group A. The postoperative follow-up of patients in group A had better outcome with increased body weight and no steatorrhea or diabetes mellitus, and all of them had complete pain relief. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that distal pancreatectomy with end-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy provided a better surgical treatment for the patients with chronic obstructive pancreatitis and small pancreatic duct.     

Open pancreatic stenting with duct-to-mucosa anastomosis for pancreatic-duct obstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy with pancreaticogastrostomy

Pancreatic-duct dilatation is frequently observed in the patients who have undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Pancreaticodigestive anastomotic stricture may occasionally develop after PD. Stenosis of the pancreaticoenterostomy induces obstructive chronic pancreatitis, which occurs due to primary stenosis or obstruction of the main pancreatic duct and causes in inflammation of the distal pancreas. The patency of the pancreaticoenterostomy is one of the most important factors affecting the functioning of the remnant pancreas and the quality of life. Endoscopic dilatation is one of the treatment options for stenosis of pancreaticogastrostomy (PG). However, the failure of endoscopic dilatation necessitates surgical approaches. We have described our technique of open pancreatic stenting with a duct-to-mucosa anastomosis for a case which the stenosis of PG could not be resolved by endoscopic dilatation. This technique dose not require re-resected PG or side-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy: the risk of anastomotic leakage is quite low and the procedure is minimally invasive.     

Pancreaticojejunostomy without stent (with video)

There is a high risk of anastomotic leakage following pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy or middle pancreatectomy in patients with a normal soft pancreas because of the abundant exocrine function. Therefore, pancreaticojejunostomy is generally performed using a stent tube (stented method). However, pancreaticojejunostomy with a certain duct-to-mucosa anastomosis does not always require a stent tube even in patients with a normal soft pancreas. We have performed pancreaticojejunostomy with duct-to-mucosa anastomosis without a stent tube (nonstented method) and obtained good results. The objective of this technique is to maintain adequate patency of the anastomosis using a fine atraumatic needle and monofilament suture. The pancreas, including the pancreatic duct, is sharply transected with a scalpel. Any arterial bleeding points on the pancreatic cut end are repaired with fine nonabsorbable sutures. The end-to-side anastomosis between the pancreas and jejunum consists of two layers of sutures. The outer layer is composed of the capsular parenchyma of the pancreas and the jejunal seromuscularis, and the inner layer is composed of the pancreatic duct with an adequate pancreatic parenchyma and the whole jejunal wall. Complete pancreaticojejunostomy using duct-to-mucosa anastomosis does not require a stent tube. This nonstented method can be considered one of the basic procedures for pancreaticojejunostomy because of its safety and reliability.     

Proximal migration of transanastomotic pancreatic stent following pancreaticoduodenectomy and pancreaticojejunostomy.

BACKGROUND: The use of catheters to stent the pancreaticojejunal anastomosis following pancreaticoduodenectomy is practiced by some surgeons. Their long-term effects in this setting, however, remain unknown. METHODS: A 60-yr-old woman underwent a potentially curative pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy for Stage I ampullary carcinoma. Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy was constructed over a short stent. She presented 4 yr later with abdominal pain, steatorrhea, and weight loss. Computed tomography revealed a stent within the proximal pancreatic duct, with gross upstream ductal dilatation and parenchymal features of chronic pancreatitis. RESULTS: Laparotomy revealed no disease recurrence. The stent, removed through a jejunotomy, was occluded. On-table pancreatogram demonstrated a 3-cm proximal duct stricture. Drainage was achieved with a lateral pancreaticojejunostomy (modified Puestow procedure). Recovery was uneventful, with clinical recovery of pancreatic exocrine function at 6 mo follow-up. CONCLUSION: Proximal migration of transanastomotic pancreatic stent with subsequent development of chronic pancreatitis is a potential complication following pancreaticoduodenectomy. It can be managed effectively with stent removal and a lateral pancreaticojejunostomy.     

Role of remaining ductal cephalad obstruction on the results of lateral pancreaticojejunostomy in chronic pancreatitis

AIMS: To report the results of a pancreaticojejunostomy in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis, and to assess the role of residual cephalic ductal obstruction in pain recurrence. METHODS: Thirty seven patients with painful chronic pancreatitis whose pancreatic duct diameter exceeded 6 mm were treated by lateral pancreaticojejunostomy and were retrospectively studied. Deobstruction of the cephalad portion of the main pancreatic duct was complete in 21 patients (group A), while residual obstruction was noted in 16 patients (group B). RESULTS: One patient died post-operatively (2.7%) and 6 patients underwent complications (16%) that were treated without reoperation. With a median follow-up of 52 months, 26 patients were pain free (70%). Pain recurrence occurred in 3 patients in group A (14%) who were treated medically, versus in 8 patients in group B (50%) of whom 4 needed iterative surgery. Ongoing alcoholic addiction did not influence pain recurrence, which onset significantly altered the weight increase observed after pancreaticojejunostomy. CONCLUSION: Lateral pancreaticojejunostomy has a low morbidity rate and offers long lasting pain relief in 86% of patients whose cephalad main pancreatic duct is completely deobstructed.     

Duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomies with a hard pancreas and dilated pancreatic duct and duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomies with a soft pancreas and non-dilated duct

Background. We performed duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy with resection of jejunal serosa in 55 patients, and here compare the clinical results between duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomies with a non-dilated pancreatic duct and those with a dilated duct. Patients and methods. In the period 1999 to 2005, 55 patients (27 F, 28 M; mean age 63.4 years) underwent duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy with resection of jejunal serosa. A non-dilated pancreatic duct was observe in 29 patients in group A and a dilated pancreatic duct in 26 patients in group B. Clinical characteristics (age, gender, benign or malignant condition, presence of diabetes mellitus, anastomotic time) were analyzed in both groups and postoperative complications were compared between groups. Results. In a comparison of clinical characteristics, all factors were similar between groups. In group A, the postoperative complication occurred in 4 (wound infection in 2, pulmonary embolism in 1, gastric ulcer in 1) of 29 patients (13.8%), and in group B in 1 (pneumothorax) of 26 patients (3.8%). No pancreatic leakage was observed in either group. The difference between group A and group B in the rate of postoperative complication was not statistically significant. Conclusions. There was no statistical difference in the rate of postoperative complications, including pancreatic leakage, between duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomies with a dilated pancreatic duct and those with a non-dilated duct. We consider that the diameter of the pancreatic duct is irrelevant to results of duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy.     

Pancreaticoduodenectomies with a duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy anastomosis with and without a stenting tube showed no differences in long-term follow-up

Background/purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term complications of pancreaticoduodenectomy with a duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy anastomosis without a stenting tube.

Methods

Patients were followed for at least 3?years after pancreaticoduodenectomy. They were classified into two groups: duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy anastomosis with a stenting tube (group A: 24) and without a stenting tube (group B: 21). Outcomes, including complications and dilatation of the pancreatic duct, were reported retrospectively.

Results

The following complication rates were found for group A: morbidity 29.1%, cholangitis 12.5%, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis 4.2%, liver abscess 4.2%, intrahepatic stones 4.2%, abnormal glucose tolerance (progression of diabetes) 20.8%, and dilatation of the pancreatic duct 20.8%. In group B, the rates for morbidity (14.3%) and abnormal glucose tolerance (19%), and dilatation of the pancreatic duct (4.8%) were lower than those in group A, but all results lacked statistical significance.

Conclusions

Pancreaticoduodenectomy with a duct-to-mucosa anastomosis of pancreaticojejunostomy with or without a stenting tube showed no difference in long-term follow-up.     

Dunking pancreaticojejunostomy versus duct-to-mucosa anastomosis

Following the resectional aspect of pancreaticoduodenectomy, three anastomoses are used to reestablish gastrointestinal continuity. The pancreatic?Centeric anastomosis is by far the most problematic, and has been considered by many the Achilles heel of the pancreaticoduodenal resection. Multiple clinical trials have been published focusing on improving outcomes of the pancreatic?Centeric anastomosis, including elements such as the use of prophylactic octreotide, the use of sealants, stenting of the pancreatic duct, and surgical technique. There are two widely used methods to accomplish an end-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) after pancreaticoduodenectomy: either invagination PJ or duct-to-mucosa PJ. Two prospective randomized trials have evaluated these techniques, the first a trial by Bassi and co-authors, and the second a trial by Berger et al. In this article we will focus on our current technique for both invagination pancreaticojejunostomy and duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy, recognizing that careful surgical technique, surgeon experience, and surgical volume are factors that are important in yielding the best outcomes.     

Reconstruction method after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Idea to prevent serious complications

Pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy represents a critical trigger of potentially life-threatening complications and is also associated with markedly prolonged hospitalization. Many arguments have been proposed for the method to anastomosis the pancreatic stump with the gastrointestinal tract, such as invagination vs. duct-to-mucosa, Billroth I (Imanaga) vs. Billroth II (Whipple and/or Child) or pancreaticogastrostomy vs. pancreaticojejunostomy. Although the best method for dealing with the pancreatic stump after pancreaticoduodenectomy remains in question, recent reports described the invagination method to decrease the rate of pancreatic fistula significantly compared to the duct-to-mucosa anastomosis. In Billroth I reconstruction, more frequent anastomotic failure has been reported, and disadvantages of pancreaticogastrostomy have been identified, including an increased incidence of delayed gastric emptying and of pancreatic duct obstruction due to overgrowth by the gastric mucosa. We review recent several safety trials and methods of treating the pancreatic stump after pancreaticoduodenectomy, and demonstrate an operative procedure with its advantage of the novel reconstruction method due to our experiences.     

Pancreatic duct drainage using EUS-guided rendezvous technique for stenotic pancreaticojejunostomy

The patient was a 30-year-old female who had undergone excision of the extrahepatic bile duct and Rouxen-Y hepaticojejunostomy for congenital biliary dilatation at the age of 7.Thereafter,she suffered from recurrent acute pancreatitis due to pancreaticobiliary maljunction and received subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy.She developed a pancreatic fistula and an intra-abdominal abscess after the operation.These complications were improved by percutaneous abscess drainage and antibiotic therapy.How ever,upper abdominal discomfort and the elevation of serum pancreatic enzymes persisted due to stenosis from the pancreaticojejunostomy.Because we could not accomplish dilation of the stenosis by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography,we tried an endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS) guided rendezvous technique for pancreatic duct drainage.After transgastric puncture of the pancreatic duct using an EUS-fine needle aspiration needle,the guidewire was inserted into the pancreatic duct and finally reached to the jejunum through the stenotic anastomosis.We changed the echoendoscope to an oblique-viewing endoscope,then grasped the guidewire and withdrew it through the scope.The stenosis of the pancreaticojejunostomy was dilated up to 4 mm,and a pancreatic stent was put in place.Though the pancreatic stent was removed after three months,the patient remained symptomfree.Pancreatic duct drainage using an EUS-guided rendezvous technique was useful for the treatment of a stenotic pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy.     

Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic and peripancreatic malignancies: A 1996 perspective

Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, based on review of the literature, conveys little, if any, measurable benefit over the standard operation with regard to nutrition and metabolism. Some of the benefits attributed to pylorus preservation by Traverso may be due instead to his use of a duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy anastomosis which preserves pancreatic function. Comparisons of the standard and pylorus-preserving operation in regard to metabolic, nutritional, and postgstrectomy syndromes are hindered by a lack of uniformity from one report to another regarding the type of pancreaticojejunostomy anastomosis performed, the amount of stomach resected, whether vagotomy was or was not performed, and whether a Billroth I or II gastrojejunostomy or duodenojejunostomy was performed. Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy can be used safely in the management of about 85% of patients with pancreatic and distal common bile duct cancer and in 95% of those with ampullary cancer. The standard operation should be used in the presence of any sign of tumor infiltration of the duodenal bulb or peripyloric lymph nodes. Japanese surgeons have emphasized the utility of employing the Billroth I rather than Billroth II anastomosis after pancreaticoduodenectomy, as it provides access to visualize endoscopically the pancreaticojejunostomy and choledochojejunostomy anastomosis.     

Clinical Experience with Prototype Pancreatoscopes

Abstract: Peroral pancreatoscopy (PPS) was introduced at our institute in 1982, with the aim of improving diagnostic accuracy in patients with pancveatic diseases, and as a preliminary, procedure for therapeutic interventions to the pancreas. However, limitations in instrumentation permitted us to observe only the main pancreatic duct. This is a report of our experience with 2 types of peroral Pancreatoscopes and our findings in patients with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. We subjected 30 patients suspected to have pancreatic diseuse to PPS, using either the CPF-29X, which has an external diameter of 2.9 mm (Olympus: Japan), or the PA-08, which has an external diameter of 0.8 mm (a modification of the angioscope, Fujinon: Japan). PPS with the CPF-29h was attempted in 18 cases (pancreatic cancer, 11; chronic pancreatitis, 7), and was successfully introduced into the main pancreatic duct in I 6 cases. This allowed good visualization of the main pancreatic duct and a more definitive diagnosis in 11 cases. On the other hand, PPS with the PA-08 was successfully introduced in all 12 of the cases in which it was attempted (pancreatic cancer, 7; chronic pancreatitis, 5) and permitted satisfactory endoscopic observation and accurate diagnosis in 9 cases. Puncreatic cancer appeared as an irregular elevation of the pancveatic duct mucosa, while chronic pancreatitis presented as a smooth stenosis, without significant mucosal changes. Thus, PPS is a valuable alternative or supplementary procedure to present-day diagnostic imaging methods of arriving at a more definitive diagnosis in difficult cases. For the biopsy of lesions under direct vision and the possibility of therapeutic interventions to the pancreas, however, we propose the development of a pancreatoscope equipped with a forceps channel and which has an external diameter of less than 1 mm.     

Analysis of risk factors for postoperative pancreatic fistula following pancreaticoduodenectomy

AIM: To explore the morbidity and risk factors of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) following pancreaticoduodenectomy.METHODS: The data from 196 consecutive patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, performed by different surgeons, in the General Hospital of the People’s Liberation Army between January 1^st, 2013 and December 31^st, 2013 were retrospectively collected for analysis. The diagnoses of POPF and clinically relevant (CR)-POPF following pancreaticoduodenectomy were judged strictly by the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula Definition. Univariate analysis was performed to analyze the following factors: patient age, sex, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, serum CA19-9 level, history of jaundice, serum albumin level, blood loss volume, pancreatic duct diameter, pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, pancreatic drainage and pancreaticojejunostomy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the main independent risk factors for POPF.RESULTS: POPF occurred in 126 (64.3%) of the patients, and the incidence of CR-POPF was 32.7% (64/196). Patient characteristics of age, sex, BMI, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, serum CA19-9 level, history of jaundice, serum albumin level, blood loss volume, pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy and pancreaticojejunostomy showed no statistical difference related to the morbidity of POPF or CR-POPF. Pancreatic duct diameter was found to be significantly correlated with POPF rates by univariate analysis and multivariate regression analysis, with a pancreatic duct diameter ≤ 3 mm being an independent risk factor for POPF (OR = 0.291; P = 0.000) and CR-POPF (OR = 0.399; P = 0.004). The CR-POPF rate was higher in patients without external pancreatic stenting, which was found to be an independent risk factor for CR-POPF (OR = 0.394; P = 0.012). Among the entire patient series, there were three postoperative deaths, giving a total mortality rate of 1.5% (3/196), and the mortality associated with pancreatic fistula was 2.4% (3/126).CONCLUSION: A pancreatic duct diameter ≤ 3 mm is an independent risk factor for POPF. External stent drainage of pancreatic secretion may reduce CR-POPF mortality and POPF severity.     

A new pancreaticojejunostomy technique: A battle against postoperative pancreatic fistula

AIM:To present a new technique of end-to-side, ductto-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy with seromuscular jejunal flap formation, and insertion of a silicone stent. METHODS:We present an end-to-side, duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy with seromuscular jejunal flap formation, and the insertion of a silicone stent. This technique was performed in thirty-two consecutive patients who underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy procedure by the same surgical team, from January 2005 to March 2011. The surgical procedure performed in all cases was classic pancreaticoduodenectomy, without preservation of the pylorus. The diagnosis of pancreatic leakage was defined as a drain output of any measurable volume of fluid on or after postoperative day 3 with an amylase concentration greater than three times the serum amylase activity. RESULTS:There were 32 patients who underwent end-to-side, duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy with seromuscular jejunal flap formation. Thirteen of them were women and 19 were men. These data correspond to 40.6% and 59.4%, respectively. The mean age was 64.2 years, ranging from 55 to 82 years. The mean operative time was 310.2 ± 40.0 min, and was defined as the time period from the intubation up to the extubation of the patient. Also, the mean time needed to perform the pancreaticojejunostomy was 22.7 min, ranging from 18 to 25 min. Postoperatively, one patient developed a low output pancreatic fistula, three patients developed surgical site infection, and one patient developed pneumonia. The rate of overall morbidity was 15.6%. There was no 30-d postoperative mortality. CONCLUSION:This modification appears to be a significantly safe approach to the pancreaticojejunostomy without adversely affecting operative time.     

Comparison of Regional Pancreatic Tissue Fluid Pressure and Endoscopic Retrograde Pancreatographic Morphology in Chronic Pancreatitis

The relation between pancreatic tissue fluid pressure measured by the needle method and pancreatic duct morphology was studied in 16 patients with chronic pancreatitis. After preoperative endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) the patients were submitted to a drainage operation. The predrainage pressures were higher in the tail of the pancreas (29 mm Hg; range, 16–37 mm Hg) than in the head (18 mm Hg; range, 2–30 mm Hg; p = 0.02). The regional pressure differences were significantly greater in four patients who had previously undergone pancreatic surgery than in the 12 patients without previous surgery. A stone, total obstruction, or major stenosis in the pancreatic duct at ERP was related to a downstream pressure gradient significantly higher than found in a non-obstructed pancreatic main duct, but the relation was not uniform. Generally, there was no significant relation between pancreatic duct diameter and pressure, but in each individual patient, the regional pressure tended to be highest in the region with the largest duct diameter. In conclusion, the study shows considerable regional pressure differences in chronic pancreatitis and indicates that the intraoperative pressure measurements give important information supplementary to ERP about the pathologic process in patients with chronic pancreatitis.     

An easier method for performing a pancreaticojejunostomy for the soft pancreas using a fast-absorbable suture

AIM： To clarify the usefulness of a new method for performing a pancreaticojejunostomy by using a fast-absorbable suture material irradiated polyglactin 910, and a temporary stent tube for a narrow pancreatic duct with a soft pancreatic texture.METHODS： Among 63 consecutive patients with soft pancreas undergoing a pancreaticoduodenectomy from 2003 to 2006, 35 patients were treated with a new reconstructive method. Briefly, after the pancreatic transaction, a stent tube was inserted into the lumen of the pancreatic duct and ligated with it by a fast-absorbable suture. Another tip of the stent tube was introduced into the intestinal lumen at the jejunal limb, where a purse-string suture was made by another fast-absorbable suture to roughly fix the tube. The pancreaticojejunostomy was completed by ligating two fast-absorbable sutures to approximate the ductal end and the jejunal mucosa, and by adding a rough anastomosis between the pancreatic parenchyma and the seromuscular layer of the jejunum. The initial surgical results with this method were retrospectively compared with those of the 28 patients treated with conventional duct-to-mucosa anastomosis.RESULTS： The incidences of postoperative morbidity including pancreatic fistula were comparable between the two groups （new; 3%-17% vs conventional; 7%-14% according to the definitions）. There was no mortality and re-admission. Late complications were also rarely seen.CONCLUSION： A pancreaticojejunostomy using an irradiated polyglactin 910 suture material and a temporary stent is easy to perform and is feasible even in cases with a narrow pancreatic duct and a normal soft pancreas.     

Comparison of regional pancreatic tissue fluid pressure and endoscopic retrograde pancreatographic morphology in chronic pancreatitis

The relation between pancreatic tissue fluid pressure measured by the needle method and pancreatic duct morphology was studied in 16 patients with chronic pancreatitis. After preoperative endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) the patients were submitted to a drainage operation. The predrainage pressures were higher in the tail of the pancreas (29 mm Hg; range, 16-37 mm Hg) than in the head (18 mm Hg; range, 2-30 mm Hg; p = 0.02). The regional pressure differences were significantly greater in four patients who had previously undergone pancreatic surgery than in the 12 patients without previous surgery. A stone, total obstruction, or major stenosis in the pancreatic duct at ERP was related to a downstream pressure gradient significantly higher than found in a non-obstructed pancreatic main duct, but the relation was not uniform. Generally, there was no significant relation between pancreatic duct diameter and pressure, but in each individual patient, the regional pressure tended to be highest in the region with the largest duct diameter. In conclusion, the study shows considerable regional pressure differences in chronic pancreatitis and indicates that the intraoperative pressure measurements give important information supplementary to ERP about the pathologic process in patients with chronic pancreatitis.     

Inferior head resection of the pancreas and cyst resection for choledochal cyst with chronic calcifying pancreatitis

We report inferior head resection of the pancreas and cyst resection for congenital choledochal cyst with an anomalous arrangement of pancreaticobiliary duct and chronic calcifying pancreatitis. A 42-year-old man was admitted to the National Cancer Center Hospital East complaining of back pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed marked dilatation of the bile duct and multiple pancreatic stones in the main pancreatic duct. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography demonstrated pancreatic stones in the dilated main pancreatic duct. The patient underwent cyst excision, inferior head resection of the pancreas, hepaticojejunostomy and lateral pancreaticojejunostomy. The postoperative course was uneventful. This procedure relieved the back pain. Choledochal cyst with anomalous arrangement of the pancreaticobiliary duct is frequently associated with acute pancreatitis. Inferior head resection of the pancreas removed the common channel which could be the cause of relapsing pancreatitis. Thus, inferior head resection can play a role in the management of choledochal cyst with chronic pancreatitis.