[Pancreatoduodenectomy with preservation of the stomach and pylorus: technical and functional aspects]

Pancreatoduodenectomy is the most used resective operation in the treatment of cephalopancreatic pathology; nevertheless it is a severely demolitive operation, especially if performed according to the traditional technique. It can induce early as well as late complications in a high percentage of cases. A number of technical improvements have been proposed so far in order to reduce or avoid such complications; duodenopancreatectomy with gastric and pyloric preservation (PPDP) is the most representative one. The Authors analyze technical and functional features of PPDP in 22 patients operated on; results are compared with the traditional technique. In conclusion, among all the techniques proposed, PPDP assures the best improvement in the quality of life of these patients.