Rupture of pseudoaneurysm into hepaticojejunal anastomosis: report of three cases

Bleeding complications are less common after major pancreatic resections. They are more often associated with pancreatic fistula. The authors present three cases of a unique situation, when pseudoaneurysm of the common hepatic artery ruptured into the hepaticojejunal anastomosis, causing massive upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. The basic operations were pancreatic resections for malignancy. In two out of the three cases intra-abdominal infection developed postoperatively. Computer tomographic angiography was a useful tool to reveal the source of bleeding. A re-do surgery was carried out whereby bleeding control was achieved with haemostatic sutures and the biliodigestive anastomoses were also repaired. Re-bleeding did not occur postoperatively and the liver function remained normal. The authors emphasize that in case of severe gastrointestinal bleeding after pancreatic resection, this rare entity ought to be taken into account in the differential diagnosis.