[Restoring digestive continuity after cephalic duodenopancreatectomy. Value of the small intestine graft]

In 3 cases of cephalic pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatitis digestive tract continuity was restored by means of a small bowel graft onto which the pancreatic and biliary ducts were anastomosed. In 2 of these patients who had previous gastrectomy, the graft was inserted above the gastro-jejunal anastomosis; in the patient who had cephalic pancreatoduodenectomy leaving the pylorus untouched, the graft was inserted between the first and the third duodenal segments. The functional results were good in the first two cases. The third case was a failure requiring further surgery for stenosis. For this reason, we would suggest that this technique should only be used in patients who previously had gastrectomy with gastro-jejunal anastomosis.