[Protection of the anastomosis by a special drainage procedure in the Kausch-Whipple operation].

The pancreaticojejunostomy after duodenopancreatectomy is the "achilles heel" of the procedure. We describe herein a technique for percutaneous drainage of the efferent limb of the Roux-en-Y loop relieving tension from the anastomosis. 66 Whipple procedures have been carried out using this technique. Operative mortality was 1.5% and anastomotic leakage occurred in 2 cases (3%). In addition one patient had to be reoperated for biliary fistula. Our technique for intraluminal loop drainage is a safe and reliable method for protection of the pancreaticojejunostomy.