Management of continuous anastomosis of pancreatic duct and jejunal mucosa after pancreaticoduodenectomy: historical study of 300 patients.

BACKGROUND

Pancreaticojejunostomy is the most problematic anastomosis in the reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy. In the past, much of the morbidity and mortality associated with this operation was related to problems with this anastomosis. Recent data, however, suggest that the use of duct-to-mucosa sutures has led to a marked drop in both morbidity and mortality associated with pancreaticojejunostomy.

METHODS

Among the 300 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, including pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, 87 patients underwent traditional pancreaticojejunostomy by invagination of the end of the pancreas into the bowel (group B). Recently three-layer anastomosis was created in 213 patients. The outer layer was created between the pancreatic capsule and the serosa of jejunum. The middle layer was created between the pancreatic parenchyma and the seromuscular wall of jejunum. The inner layer was placed between the pancreatic duct and a small opening in the antimesenteric border of the jejunal mucosa. Among the 213 patients, the inner anastomosis was created with interrupted absorbable sutures (group A1) in 93 patients and continuous absorbable sutures (group A2) in 120 patients.

RESULTS

The three groups were similar with respect to age, gender, and primary disease. In the anastomosis, the incidence of leakage in group A2 (4.2%) was significantly less than in groups B (17.2%, p < 0.01) and A1 (11.8%, p < 0.05). The operative mortality rates were 3.2% in group A1, 1.7% in group A2, and 5.7% in group B.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend continuous anastomosis of the pancreatic duct and jejunal mucosa as a safe procedure after pancreaticoduodenectomy.