Management of the transected pancreas following distal pancreatectomy

Fifty-six patients are reported upon in whom distal pancreatectomy had been performed for pancreatic trauma with presumed major injury to the pancreatic ductal system. The transected pancreas was compressed with sutures in 27 patients and with a stapler in 29 patients. The postoperative morbidity was comparable in the two groups--three abscesses and four pancreatic fistulas with suture of the pancreas and three of each when the pancreas was stapled. Death was due to perioperative hemorrhage from associated injury in five patients and to severe neurologic damage in three patients. The mortality was 14 per cent.