Antecolic gastrointestinal reconstruction with pylorus dilatation. Does it improve delayed gastric emptying after pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy?

Objective. The aim of our study focuses upon prevention of delayed gastric emptying (DGE) after pancreaticoduodenectomy using a alternative reconstruction procedure. Method. Forty consecutive patients underwent a typical pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) with antecolic reconstruction in a two-year period (January 2002 until January 2004), while a similar group of 40 consecutive patients underwent PPPD with application of pyloric dilatation between January 2004 and January 2006. Early and late complications were compared between the two groups. Results. DGE occurred significantly more often in the group of patients treated by the classical PPPD technique (nine patients −22%) compared with those operated on with the addition of pyloric dilatation technique (two patients −5%) (p<0.05). The incidence of other complications did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusions. The application of dilatation may decrease the incidence of DGE after PPPD and facilitates earlier hospital discharge.