Management of pancreatic trauma

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic injury can pose a formidable challenge to the surgeon, and failure to manage it correctly may have devastating consequences for the patient. Management options for pancreatic trauma are reviewed and technical issues highlighted. METHOD: The English-language literature on pancreatic trauma from 1970 to 2006 was reviewed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Most pancreatic injuries are minor and can be treated by external drainage. Injuries involving the body, neck and tail of the pancreas, and with suspicion or direct evidence of pancreatic duct disruption, require distal pancreatectomy. Similar injuries affecting the head of the pancreas are best managed by simple external drainage, even if there is suspected pancreatic duct injury. Pancreaticoduodenectomy should be reserved for extensive injuries to the head of the pancreas, and should be practised as part of damage control. Most complications should initially be treated by a combination of nutrition, percutaneous drainage and endoscopic stenting.