A Long Gastrojejunostomy Is Associated With Decreased Incidence and Severity of Delayed Gastric Emptying After Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

OBJECTIVES

Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is associated with increased hospital length of stay (LOS) and health care costs. We hypothesized that a long gastrojejunostomy for PD (LGPD) is associated with decreased incidence of DGE.

METHODS

Data were reviewed from patients who underwent standard PD (SPD), pylorus-preserving PD (PPPD), or LGPD with a 9-cm-long anastomosis between August 2000 and July 2010. Primary outcomes included presence and grade of DGE and LOS. The International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery definition was used to define DGE.

RESULTS

A total of 194 PDs (28 SPDs, 82 PPPDs, and 84 LGPDs) were performed. The rates of DGE were 46.4%, 37.8%, and 16.7%, respectively (P = 0.001). The LGPD was associated with fewer grades B/C DGE (2.4%) compared to SPD (10.7%) and PPPD (17.5%). Rates of postoperative abdominal fluid collection and abscess were similar among the groups. Patients with DGE had significantly longer LOS (14.0 vs 7.0 days, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study evaluating the effect of a long gastrojejunostomy on the incidence of DGE after PD. The LGPD is associated with significantly decreased DGE compared to SPD and PPPD and warrants further exploration as a means to improve outcome for patients who undergo PD.