Surgical treatment of severe, pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy by wirsungostomy and repeat pancreatico-jejunat anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: After pancreaticoduodenectomy, severe pancreatic fistula may require salvage relaparotomy in patients with largely disrupted pancreaticojejunal anastomosis. Completion pancreatectomy remains the gold standard but yields high mortality and severe long-term repercussions. The authors report the results of a pancreas-preserving strategy used in this life-threatening condition. METHODS: Two hundred fifty-four pancreaticoduodenectomies with pancreaticojej unal anastomosis were performed between 2005 and 2011; 21 patients underwent salvage relaparotomy for grade C pancreatic fistula. Largely dehiscent pancreaticojejunal anastomoses were dismantled in 16 patients. Four patients underwent completion pancreatectomy, whereas in 12 patients detailed here, the remain- ing pancreas was preserved and drained by wirsungostomy with exteriorization or closure of the jejunal stump. Repeat pancreaticojejunal anastomosis was later planned to preserve pancreatic function. RESULTS: One patient died of recurrent hemorrhage on day 1 after wirsungostomy (8.3%). All but 1 survivor developed postoperative complications, and 3 needed reoperation before hospital discharge. The median hospital stay was 62 days (range, 29 to 156 days). After a median delay of 130 days (range, 91 to 240 days) from salvage relaparotomy, repeat pancreaticojejunostomy was attempted in 10 patients and was successful in 9 (1 completion pancreatectomy was performed). One patient died postopera- tively (10%). Long-term endocrine function was unaltered in 66% of patients who benefited from this conservative strategy. CONCLUSIONS: This pancreas-preserving strategy yielded a whole mortality rate of 17% for largely disrupted pancreaticojej unal anastomosis requiring salvage relaparotomy. It compares favorably with systematic completion pancreatectomy and achieved preservation of remnant pancreatic function in' 75% of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]