[Results of defunctionalized jejunal loop after pancreaticoduodenectomy]

Anastomotic leak continues to be a common cause of complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Numerous surgical techniques have been described to avoid this complication.

We evaluated the use of a defunctionalized jejunal loop for the pancreas after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Between 1991 and 2005, the findings in 80 patients were analyzed in this prospective study of the use of a defunctionalized jejunal loop for the pancreas as a reconstructive procedure following pancreaticoduodenectomy. All the patients were operated on by two surgeons. The following clinical variables were recorded: age, sex, diameter of the main pancreatic duct, pancreas texture, operating time, intraoperative blood transfusion, mean length of hospital stay, and operative mortality. Seven complications were defined: anastomotic leakage (biliary and duodenal), pancreatic fistula, abscess, sepsis, bleeding, delayed gastric emptying, and postoperative pancreatitis. Four different definitions were used for pancreatic fistula.

Of the 80 patients, 16 (20%) developed pancreatic fistula according to at least one of the criteria used. Pancreatic fistula was more frequent in patients with a small duct (33.3%), and soft pancreatic texture (29%), and was the cause of 100% of intraabdominal hemorrhages, 80% of abdominal abscesses, and 60% of mortality. The mean length of hospital stay was 20.6 days and the mortality rate was 6.6% (5/80). During follow-up two patients developed pancreatitis.

After pancreaticoduodenectomy, reconstruction with a defunctionalized jejunal loop for the pancreas is a safe and effective technique.