BACKGOUND/AIMS: The aim of this study is to present the new method of continuously irrigated around the pancreaticojejunostomy to reduce postoperative complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy.
Methodology: Twenty-seven patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy in our institution between 2002 and 2007. Pancreaticojejunostomy was performed with the external pancreatic duct stent tube, and continuous irrigation around the pancreaticojejunostomy was started on the operative day with physiological saline solution containing gabexate mesilate.
Results: Mean duration of irrigation was 7.1 +/- 4.4 days, mean duration of drainage tube placement was 14.2 +/- 9 days, and mean duration of pancreatic duct drainage tube placement was 24.9 +/- 4.7 days. Pancreatic fistula was diagnosed in 8 patients. Three cases were classified as grade A and 5 cases were grade B. These pancreatic fistulae were closed by non-invasive treatment and the in-hospital death rate was 0%.
Conclusions: External total drainage of the main pancreatic duct and continuous irrigation around pancreaticojejunostomy appears to avoid severe postoperative complications.