Segmental occlusion of the pancreatic duct with prolamine to prevent fistula formation after distal pancreatectomy.

OBJECTIVE

The authors used prolamine (Ethibloc, Ethicon GmBH, Norderstedt, Germany) for segmental obstruction of the pancreatic duct to prevent pancreatic fistula development after distal pancreatectomy combined with total gastrectomy for gastric malignancies.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Although the initial clinical application of prolamine was pancreatic duct obstruction for patients with pancreatitis and undergoing pancreatic transplantation and pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer, there are no reports on prevention of pancreatic fistula formation after distal pancreatectomy.

METHODS

Prolamine (0.2 mL) was injected into the distal segment of the main duct in the remaining pancreata of 51 patients. Small pancreatic ducts on the cut surface, from which prolamine extravasates, were closed by ligation, the main duct was ligated doubly, and the transected pancreatic margin was closed 15 minutes after phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride injection.

RESULTS

No patient developed a pancreatic fistula or the complication of arterial bleeding due to prolonged infection.

CONCLUSION

Segmental obstruction of the pancreatic duct with prolamine is useful for preventing pancreatic fistula development after distal pancreatectomy.