Duodenal stump leakage. Lessons to learn from a large-scale 15-year cohort study

Duodenal stump leakage is a challenging condition causing significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to identify the risk factors associated with duodenal leak and advocate modification to prevent the incident.

A retrospective cohort study was performed to include patients who had gastrectomy with excluded duodenum in a single surgical centre in the period of Jan 2003-March 2017. Analysis of associated factors was performed. Patients with duodenal leak were further analyzed and the treatment strategy was reviewed.

During the study period, 678 patients had gastrectomy with excluded duodenum. 502 patients had elective gastrectomy and 176 patients had emergency gastrectomy. 52 patients had subsequent duodenal stump leakage (7.7%). The existence of duodenal ulcer, intra-operative contamination, lower pre-operative haemoglobin and duodenostomy were the independent associated factors for duodenal leak.

This is the largest cohort in studying associated factors regarding duodenal leak in both emergency and elective gastrectomy. The independent associated factors were identified. We advocate a conservative approach for duodenal leak with adequate drainage, nutrition and antibiotics.