Lengthened Efferent Limb in Braun Enteroenterostomy Reduces Delayed Gastric Emptying After Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND

Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is a common complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), but a method to prevent DGE has not been established. This study aims to demonstrate a novel technique utilizing a lengthened efferent limb in Billroth-II (B-II) reconstruction during PD and to evaluate the impact of the longer efferent limb on DGE occurrence.

METHODS

Patients who underwent PD with B-II reconstruction were divided into two groups: PDs with lengthened (50-60 cm) efferent limb (L group) and standard length (0-30 cm) efferent limb (S group). Postoperative outcomes were compared. DGE was defined and graded according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery criteria.

RESULTS

Among 283 consecutive patients who underwent PD from 2002 to 2021, 206 patients were included in this study. Patients who underwent Roux-en-Y reconstruction (n = 77) were excluded. Compared with the S group, the L group included older patients and those who underwent PD after 2016 (p = 0.025, < 0.001, respectively). D2 lymphadenectomy, antecolic route reconstruction, and Braun enteroenterostomy were performed more frequently in the L group (p = 0.040, < 0.001, < 0.001, respectively). The rate of DGE was significantly decreased to 6% in the L group, compared with 16% in the S group (p = 0.027), which might lead to a shorter hospital stay in the L group (p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis identified two factors as independent predictors for DGE: intraabdominal abscess [odds ratio (OR) 5.530, p = 0.008] and standard efferent limb length (OR 2.969, p = 0.047).

CONCLUSION

A lengthened efferent limb in Braun enteroenterostomy could reduce DGE after PD.