Biliopancreatic and biliary leak after pancreatoduodenectomy treated by percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage

Complementary to percutaneous intra-abdominal drainage, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) might ameliorate healing of pancreatic fistula and biliary leakage after pancreatoduodenectomy by diversion of bile from the site of leakage. This study evaluated technical and clinical outcomes of PTBD for this indication.

All patients undergoing PTBD for leakage after pancreatoduodenectomy were retrospectively evaluated in two tertiary pancreatic centers (2014-2019). Technical success was defined as external biliary drainage. Clinical success was defined as discharge with a resolved leak, without additional surgical interventions for anastomotic leakage other than percutaneous intra-abdominal drainage.

Following 822 pancreatoduodenectomies, 65 patients (8%) underwent PTBD. Indications were leakage of the pancreaticojejunostomy (n = 25; 38%), hepaticojejunostomy (n = 15; 23%) and of both (n = 25; 38%). PTBD was technically successful in 64 patients (98%) with drain revision in 40 patients (63%). Clinical success occurred in 60 patients (94%). Leakage resolved after median 33 days (IQR 21-60). PTBD related complications occurred in 23 patients (35%), including cholangitis (n = 14; 21%), hemobilia (n = 7; 11%) and PTBD related bleeding requiring re-intervention (n = 4; 6%). In hospital mortality was 3% (n = 2).

Although drain revisions and complications are common, PTBD is highly feasible and appears to be effective in the treatment of biliopancreatic leakage after pancreatoduodenectomy.