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Updated: Jan 10, 2026
Robotic Pancreatoduodenectomy for Pancreatic Head Cancer: a Case Report of a Standardized Technique
Published on: June 24, 2022
Robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy with modified Blumgart anastomosis with self-locking barbed wires: technical aspects
Bram Vanhoof1, Edward Willems1, Ismaël Chaoui1
1Department of Digestive and Hepatobiliary/Pancreatic Surgery, Groeninge Hospital, President Kennedylaan 4, 8500, Kortrijk, Belgium.
Background:
Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a serious complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). We present a standardized and reproducible technique (IDEAL stage 2a) to perform a robotic modified Blumgart anastomosis with self-locking barbed wires.
Methods:
Between October 2023 and March 2025, 22 patients underwent a robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy with a modified Blumgart anastomosis median pancreatic duct diameter measured 3 mm. Fifteen patients had a soft pancreas (68%). Sixteen patients (73%) had a high risk for POPF (ua-FRS ≥ 20%).
Results:
Severe postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ 3) were observed in two patients (9%). There was no clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (cPOPF). Median blood loss was 40 cc (IQR 123 cc) and median operative time was 300 min (IQR 48 min). Median length of hospital stay after surgery was 12 days (IQR 7 days).
Conclusion:
Our initial experience suggests that a robotic modified Blumgart anastomosis with self-locking barbed wires is safe and reproducible.
