Microsurgical reconstruction of pancreatic ducts in dogs

The incidence of traumatic injuries of the pancreas has increased in patients sustaining abdominal trauma. The purpose of this study was to perfect the microsurgical technique of anastomosis of pancreatic ducts in dogs as a contribution to conservative treatment of the injured pancreas with salvage of the spleen to avoid sepsis after splenectomy. Eighteen mongrel dogs weighing an average 20 kg were used. The anastomoses were performed with an operating microscope with monofilament nylon 10-0 (Ethilon) and polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) 10-0 (0.2 m) swaged to a BV-6 taper-point needle. Retrograde pancreatography was performed before and after operation. Serum amylase determinations were made. Histologic and scanning electron microscopic examinations of the anastomoses were performed at different intervals after operation. Primary healing occurred in all cases. Reepithelialization of the suture line was completed between the twenty-eighth and forty-second postoperative days. Patency of the pancreatic ducts was revealed by pancreatography 4 months after surgery. In conclusion microsurgery offers an interesting perspective to reconstructive pancreatic surgery.