Abstract
Background
Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) and postoperative fluid collection (POFC) are common complications after distal pancreatectomy (DP). The previous method of reducing the risk of POPF was the application of a polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheet to the pancreatic stump after cutting the pancreas with a stapler (After-stapling); the new method involves wrapping the pancreatic resection line with a PGA sheet before stapling (Before-stapling). The study aimed to compare the incidence of POPF and POFC between two methods.
Methods
Data of patients who underwent open or laparoscopic DPs by a single surgeon from October 2010 to February 2020 in a tertiary referral hospital were retrospectively analyzed. POPF was defined according to the updated International Study Group of Pancreatic Fistula criteria. POFC was measured by postoperative computed tomography (CT).
Results
Altogether, 182 patients were enrolled (After-stapling group, n = 138; Before-stapling group, n = 44). Clinicopathologic and intraoperative findings between the two groups were similar. Clinically relevant POPF rates were similar between both groups (4.3% vs. 4.5%, p = 0.989). POFC was significantly lesser in the Before-stapling group on postoperative day 7 (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
Wrapping the pancreas with PGA sheet before stapling was a simple and effective way to reduce POFC.
Effect of polyglycolic acid mesh for prevention of pancreatic fistula following segmental pancreatectomy: a systematic review
