Pancreatico-Jejunostomy On Isolated Loop After Pancreatico-Duodenectomy: Is It Worthwhile?

Postoperative morbidity remains a significant problem after pancreatico-duodenectomy. The management of pancreatic stump continues to be a challenge, and many technical solutions have been developed over the years. In this study, we report the results obtained with the use of an isolated loop for pancreatico-jejunostomy in patients with soft pancreas and small pancreatic duct diameter.

Clinical data of patients submitted to pancreatico-duodenectomy in a period of sixteen years (2005-2020) were extracted from a prospective database. Patients with soft pancreas, main duct diameter < 2 mm and reconstruction by pancreatico-jejunostomy on single loop or isolated loop were selected. Primary end-point was the incidence of clinically relevant fistulas in the two groups of patients. Secondary endpoint was the length of postoperative hospital stay. A propensity score matching analysis was used for the statistics.

Two hundred and twenty-one patients with the above characteristics were found in the database. One hundred and twelve of these received a single-loop reconstruction and 109 an isolated loop reconstruction. Incidence of clinically relevant fistulas was higher in the first group (41% vs 27%; p = 0.023). Postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the second group (21 days vs 15; p < 0.001). These results were confirmed at the propensity score matching.

In patients with soft pancreatic texture and small main duct diameter, pancreatico-jejunostomy on isolated loop is associated with a lower incidence of clinically relevant fistulas than after classic reconstruction. The duration of postoperative hospital stay was significantly reduced, with consequent reduction of cost.