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.     

Pancreaticojejunostomy using duct-to-mucosa anastomosis without a stenting tube

Background Purpose

There is a high risk of anastomotic leakage after pancreaticojejunostomy following pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with a normal soft pancreas because of the high degree of exocrine function. Therefore, pancreaticojejunostomy is generally performed using a stenting tube (stented method). However, pancreaticojejunostomy with a certain duct-to-mucosa anastomosis does not always require a stenting tube, even in patients with a normal soft pancreas. Recently, we have performed pancreaticojejunostomy with duct-to-mucosa anastomosis without a stenting tube (nonstented method) and obtained good results.

Methods

The point of this technique is to maintain adequate patency of the anastomosis using a fine atraumatic needle and monofilament thread. The results of end-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy of the normal soft pancreas using the nonstented method (n = 123) were compared with those using the stented method (n = 45).

Results

There were no differences in background characteristics between the groups, including age, gender, and disease. The mean times to complete pancreaticojejunostomy were around 30?min in the two groups and the rates of morbidity and leakage of pancreaticojejunostomy were 26.8% and 5.7% in the nonstented group and 22.2% and 6.7% in the stented group, respectively. These differences were not statistically significant. One patient in the stented group died of sepsis following leakage of pancreaticojejunostomy. There were also no significant differences in the mean time to initiation of solid food intake or postoperative hospital stay.

Conclusions

In conclusion, complete pancreaticojejunostomy using duct-to-mucosa anastomosis for a normal soft pancreas does not require a stenting tube. This nonstented method can be considered one of the basic procedures for pancreaticojejunostomy because of its safety and certainty.     

Pancreaticojejunal anastomosis, using a stent tube, in pancreaticoduodenectomy

We report our technique for pancreaticojejunostomy, using a stent tube, and examine the literature with regard to the use of a stent tube in pancreaticojejunostomy. The total number of stitches in the anastomosis of the pancreatic parenchyma and seromuscle layer of the jejunum should be more than 20, and there should be more than 8 stitches in the anastomosis of the pancreatic duct and parenchyma and all layers of the jejunal wall, even in a normal-sized main pancreatic duct. There is no dead space between the cut end of the pancreatic parenchyma and the jejunal wall. None of the 114 consecutive patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy in our series died. We use a stent because this makes it easier to perform anterior wall anastomosis of the pancreaticojejunostomy. It is easy to find the pancreaticojejunal anastomosis at the anterior wall anastomosis. We never stitch the posterior wall of the anastomosis with a stent tube in place at the anterior wall anastomosis. If the anastomosis leaks, the massive flow of pancreatic juice around the anastomosis is prevented because of the pancreatic juice flowing out of the pancreatic tube.     

Stenting is unnecessary in duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy even in the normal pancreas

Background: There is a high risk of anastomotic leakage after pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) in patients with a normal pancreas because of the high degree of exocrine function. These PD are therefore generally performed using a stenting tube (stented method). In recent years, we have performed pancreaticojejunostomy with duct-to-mucosa anastomosis without a stenting tube (nonstented method) and obtained good results. Methods: The point of this technique is to preserve adequate patency of the pancreatic duct by carefully picking up the pancreatic duct wall with a fine atraumatic needle and monofilament thread. The results of end-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy of the normal pancreas were compared between the nonstented method (n = 109) and the stented method (n = 39). Results: There were no differences in background characteristics between the groups, including age, gender and disease. The mean duration to complete pancreati-cojejunostomy was 26.6 min in the nonstented group and 29.2 min in the stented group. The mean durations of surgical procedure and intraoperative blood loss were also similar in the groups. Morbidity rates due to early postoperative complications were 20.2 and 23.1%, with pancreatic leakage occurring in 7.3 and 7.7% of patients, respectively. These differences were not statistically significant. One patient in the stented group died of sepsis following leakage of pancreaticojejunostomy. There were also no significant differences in the mean time to initiation of solid food intake or postoperative hospital stay. Conclusion: We conclude that a stenting tube is unnecessary if the duct-to-mucosa anastomosis is completely performed. This operative technique can be considered a basic procedure for pancreaticojejunostomy because of the low risk.     

Pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy： A comparison between the two pancreaticojejunostomy methods for approximating the pancreatic parenchyma to the jejunal seromuscular layer： Interrupted vs continuous stitches

AIM： The purpose of this study is to find a better operative technique by comparing interrupted stitches with continuous stitches for the outer layer of the pancreaticojejunostomy, i.e. the stitches between the stump parenchyma of the pancreas and the jejunal seromuscular layer, and other risk factors for the incidence of pancreatic leakage.
METHODS： During the period January 1997 to October 2004, 133 patients have undergone the end-to-side and duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy with interrupted suture for outer layer of the pancreaticojejunostomy and 170 patients with a continuous suture at our institution by one surgeon.
RESULTS： There were no significant differences between the two groups in the diagnosis, texture of the pancreas, use of octreotide and pathologic stage. Pancreatic fistula occurred in 14 patients （11%） among the interrupted suture cases and in 10 （6%） among the continuous suture cases （P = 0.102）. Major pancreatic leakage developed in three interrupted suture patients （2%） and zero continuous suture patients （P = 0.026）. In multivariate analysis, soft pancreatic consistency （odds ratio, 5.5; 95% confidence interval 2.3-13.1） and common bile duct cancer （odds ratio, 3.7; 95%CI 1.6-8.5） were＇predictive of pancreatic leakage.
CONCLUSION： Pancreatic texture and pathology are the most important factors in determining the fate of pancreaticojejunal anastomosis and our continuous suture method was performed with significantly decreased occurrence of major pancreatic fistula. In conclusion, the continuous suture method is more feasible and safer in performing duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy.     

Double duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy for bifid pancreatic duct

We report a pancreaticojejunostomy with double duct-to-mucosa anastomotic technique after pyloruspreserving pancreaticoduodenectomy for chronic pancreatitis with bifid pancreatic duct. A 49-year-old Japanese man was diagnosed preoperatively as having chronic pancreatitis with common bile duct stricture and pseudocyst of the pancreatic head. In a pancreaticoduodenectomy, the main pancreatic duct (7mm in diameter) and a secondary pancreatic duct (4mm in diameter) were identified intraoperatively at the transected surface. Pancreatography showed the main pancreatic duct as well as thesecondary pancreatic duct that drained the remaining dorsal pancreas, allowing us to diagnose bifid pancreatic duct. The pancreaticojejunostomy was performed in an end-to-side manner to create double duct-to-mucosa anastomoses and to approximate the pancreatic parenchyma and jejunal seromuscular layers. Although bifid pancreatic duct is a rare anatomical anomaly, it behooves every surgeon who performs pancreatic resections to be aware of this entity and the techniques for dealing with it.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

The bridge stent technique for salvage of pancreaticojejunal anastomotic dehiscence

Objectives

Although infrequent, Grade C postoperative pancreatic fistulae (POPF) following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) are morbid and potentially lethal. Traditional management of a disrupted pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) anastomosis consists of either wide external drainage or completion pancreatectomy. The aim of this study is to describe an alternative management approach to PJ dehiscence after PD.

Methods

A bridge stent technique is employed in the setting of a disrupted PJ anastomosis. Upon re-exploration, a 5-Fr or 8-Fr silastic feeding tube stent is placed across a gap between the jejunal enterotomy and the pancreatic duct, and secured with an absorbable suture at both ends. Depending upon the degree of local inflammation, this may be externalized by coursing the stent downstream through the pancreaticobiliary drainage limb in a Witzel fashion.

Results

Over 8 years and 357 PDs with duct-to-mucosa PJ reconstruction, seven ISGPF (International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula) Grade C fistulae occurred (2%). Two patients ultimately died secondary to POPF (neither anastomosis was dehisced). The described technique was used in the other five patients, all of whom had evidence of a dehisced PJ anastomosis. All originally had at least two or three recognized risk factors for POPF development (high-risk pathology, soft gland, duct diameter ≤3 mm, estimated blood loss ≥1000 ml). All patients survived this complication and were discharged from hospital. There have been no longterm external fistulae, nor any recognized PJ strictures or remnant atrophy (median follow-up: 10.7 months).

Conclusions

In the context of a dehisced pancreaticojejunal anastomosis, the bridge stent technique is a safe and effective method of management that contributes to diminished mortality and helps to salvage pancreatic function.     

History of pancreaticojejunostomy in pancreaticoduodenectomy: development of a more reliable anastomosis technique

The history of pancreaticojejunostomy in pancreaticoduodenectomy is described. Many types of operations have been devised in search of a more reliable method of anastomosis. To perform a safe and reliable pancreaticoenteric anastomosis it is necessary to understand the organ characteristics of the pancreas. We investigated factors required for a reliable pancreaticojejunostomy and devised a new surgical technique that meets those requirements. We introduce the theoretical substantiation and clinical usefulness of our new surgical technique while reviewing the history of pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy. The unique aspect of our method is approximation of the pancreas stump and jejunal wall by six to eight interrupted sutures. It is speculated that too many sutures and tying too tight in the anastomosis may cause ischemia and necrosis of the pancreatic stump by restricting the tissue blood flow. Our method allows us not only to reduce the number of sutures, but also to avoid some of the complicated manipulations done in any other existing methods. The newly devised pancreaticojejunostomy is an excellent surgical technique with anastomotic failure seen in only two patients and no deaths out of 162 consecutive patients.     

Effect of a single layer continuous suture between pancreatic parenchyma and jejunum after duct-to-mucosa anastomosis in pancreaticoduodenectomy: a single surgeon's experiences

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of the present study is to ascertain the effect of a single layer continuous suture between pancreatic parenchyma and jejunum after duct-to-mucosa anastomosis in pancreaticoduodenectomy through a single surgeon's experiences. METHODOLOGY: From March 1, 2002 to March 31, 2005, among 512 patients who had pancreaticoduodenectomy at Asan Medical Center, 56 patients who had a single layer continuous suture between pancreatic parenchyma and jejunum after duct-to-mucosa anastomosis were selected consecutively for prospective study. RESULTS: There were 44 pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, 10 pancreaticoduodenectomy, 2 hepatopancreaticoduodenectomy. No pancreatic leakage was reported. All three wound infections recovered after conservative treatment, and a gastric ulcer bleeding was resolved by suture-ligation through laparotomy. There was no mortality after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Although it is a report with low surgical volume, a single layer continuous suture between pancreatic parenchyma and jejunum after duct-to-mucosa anastomosis in pancreaticoduodenectomy is thought to be a good method to prevent the complications of pancreatic leakage using a tight close attachment of pancreas and jejunum.     

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.     

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.     

A new technique for pancreaticogastrostomy for the soft pancreas: the transfixing suture method

Background/Purpose

Pancreatic anastomotic leakage remains a persistent problem after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). The presence of soft, nonfibrotic pancreatic tissue is one of the most important risk factors for pancreatic leakage. Accordingly, we devised a pancreas-transfixing suture method for pancreaticogastrostomies in patients with a soft, nonfibrotic pancreatic remnant.

Methods

The pancreas-transfixing method was applied in 103 consecutive patients after either standard PD (49 patients) or pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) (54 patients) for malignant or benign disease. Of these 103 patients, 65 had a soft, nonfibrotic pancreatic remnant. For the pancreaticogastrostomy technique, an ultrasonically activated scalpel was used for transecting the pancreas. The inner layer involves a duct-to-mucosa anastomosis with an internal stent and the outer layer involves a single row of pancreas-transfixing sutures between the pancreatic remnant and the posterior gastric wall.

Results

Operative mortality was zero and morbidity was 22%. Only two patients (2%) developed pancreatic leaks; both resolved nonoperatively with the continuation of closed drainage.

Conclusions

This technique is simple and appears to reduce the risk of pancreatic leakage, possibly by decreasing the risk of suture injury of the pancreas and by embedding the transected stump into the wall of the stomach. This novel pancreaticogastrostomy technique is an effective reconstructive procedure, especially for patients with a soft, nonfibrotic pancreas.     

Risk factors influencing pancreatic leakage and the mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy in a medium-volume hospital

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was designed to evaluate risk factors influencing pancreatic leakage and pancreatic leakage-related mortality in a medium-volume hospital. METHODOLOGY: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 107 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy at the Kobe University Hospital. Fourteen predictive factors for pancreatic leakage and the pancreatic leakage-related mortality were evaluated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, the degree of pancreatic fibrosis, type of resection (PD/PPPD), anastomosis techniques (invagination or duct-to-mucosa anastomosis), anastomosis sites (jejunum/stomach), and the presence of congestion in anastomosis sites significantly influenced pancreatic leakage, and the degree of pancreatic fibrosis influenced pancreatic leakage-related mortality. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that congestion in anastomosis sites was the strongest parameter for pancreatic leakage. Univariate analysis of the patients with normal/mild fibrosing pancreas revealed that pancreatic leakage was influenced by type of resection, anastomosis techniques, anastomosis sites, congestion in anastomosis sites and the management of pancreas parenchyma. CONCLUSIONS: In a medium-volume hospital, reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy should be performed with careful attention to pancreas and anastomosis sites. In the patients with normal/mild fibrosing pancreas, duct-to-mucosa anastomosis without suturing the pancreas parenchyma may be a useful technique for reconstruction.     

Use of pancreatic duct stents after pancreaticoduodenectomy

After pancreaticoduodenectomy, the pancreatic anastomosis carries the highest risk of leak and cause of morbidity and mortality. In this review article, three randomized controlled clinical trials and a fourth prospective trial focused on pancreaticoduodenectomy that contribute to level-one evidence are examined. The Johns Hopkins group demonstrated that internal pancreatic duct stenting did not decrease the frequency or severity of postoperative pancreatic fistulas. The Queen Mary Hospital group demonstrated that external drainage of the pancreatic duct with a stent reduced the leakage rate of pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy. The University of Athens group demonstrated that internal stenting of the pancreaticojejunostomy anastomosis did not reduce the incidence of pancreatic fistula and related complications. Finally, the French Surgery Research Group demonstrated that the use of an external stent through the pancreatic anastomosis reduced the pancreatic fistula rate. In summary, two studies do not demonstrate an advantage to the use of internal pancreatic duct stents and two studies demonstrate a possible advantage to the use of external pancreatic duct stents, especially in highest risk patients with soft glands and small pancreatic ducts.     

Stented pancreaticojejunostomy (with video)

Background/purpose

Using a standardized technique for pancreaticojejunostomy that we term ??pair-watch suturing technique??, we prospectively analyzed the effects of a pancreatic stent tube for preventing pancreatic fistula and furthermore evaluated which perioperative factors had an influence on the development of pancreatic fistula.

Operative procedure

Before anastomosis, we imagine the faces of a pair of wristwatches on the jejunal hole and pancreatic duct. The first stitch was put between 9?o??clock on the pancreatic side and 3?o??clock on the jejunal side, and a total of 7 stitches were put in the posterior wall, followed by 5 stitches in the anterior wall. Using this technique, twelve stitches can be sutured in the first layer anastomosis regardless of the caliber of the pancreatic duct.

Patients and methods

From March 2007 to April 2009, 55 consecutive patients who underwent the pair-watch suturing technique were divided into two groups: stent (n?=?28) and no-stent (n?=?27). The incidence rate of pancreatic fistula was statistically analyzed. From March 2007 to March 2011, 102 consecutive patients were retrospectively divided into two groups according to the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula criteria: postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) and non-POPF.

Results

Perioperative factors were almost the same between the stent and no-stent groups, and the incidence of pancreatic fistula was very similar: 10.7% in the stent group and 14.8% in the no-stent group. Additionally, all patients who developed pancreatic fistula belonged to grade A. Among 102 patients, 15 (14.7%) were identified as having pancreatic fistula: 9 (8.8%) in grade A, 5 (4.9%) in grade B, and 1 (0.9%) in grade C. Comparing the POPF and non-POPF groups, we could not detect any significant risk factors for the development of pancreatic fistula.

Conclusion

We consider that the pair-watch suturing technique is less susceptible to any factors, providing reliable anastomosis for any size of pancreatic duct and any texture of remnant pancreas.     

Pancreatogastrostomy (PG) after pancreatoduodenectomy with or without duct-to-mucosa anastomosis for the small pancreatic duct: short- and long-term results

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pancreatogastrostomy, generally considered to pose less postoperative complications for a small-duct pancreas after pancreatoduodenectomy than pancreatojejunostomy, has usually been conducted with an invagination method, which can cause obstruction of the duct during the follow-up. The purpose of this study was to investigate the short- and long-term results with special reference to the patency of the main pancreatic duct after pancreatogastrostomy performed on a small-duct pancreas, combining an invagination technique with a duct-to-mucosa approximation. METHODOLOGY: Out of 73 patients with a nondilated pancreatic duct, 24 in an earlier series underwent pancreatogastrostomy only with an invagination. The other 49 in a later period had an additional duct-to-mucosa anastomosis. RESULTS: Four patients (5.5%) developed a minor anastomotic leak of the pancreas which healed uneventfully within 16-41 days without mortality. Long-term results revealed that the pancreatic duct tended to dilate after pancreatogastrostomy without mucosal adaptation, while the new method of pancreatogastrostomy with duct-to-mucosa anastomosis left the diameter of the pancreatic duct unchanged. Body weight and peripheral blood glycohemoglobin A1c retained preoperative levels, irrespective of the mucosal anastomosis. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatogastrostomy with mucosa-to-mucosa anastomosis appears to be a useful method of pancreatic reconstruction in both the short- and long-term.     

A novel reconstructive procedure after pancreaticoduodenectomy: J-pouch dunking pancreaticojejunostomy

Leakage of the pancreaticojejunostomy remains a major complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Several methods have been advocated in order to reduce anastomotic fistula but none of them reached a significant difference in preventing the leakage. We developed a new technique called "J-pouch dunking pancreaticojejunostomy". A "J" pouch is made from the distal 20 to 30 cm of jejunum by using a GIA linear stapler. A transverse incision is made on the jejunal base. As a result, we have enough jejunal stoma to anastomose the pancreatic remnant. A soft pancreas and small pancreatic size are known to be risk factors in pancreatic anastomosis. This technique is designed to eliminate the several factors related to pancreatic anastomotic leakage.