Introduction. Pancreatoduodenectomy (PDR or Whipple’s operation) remains the only effective radical method of surgery for tumors of the pancreatic head, distal common bile duct and Vater’s papilla. The most frequent complications of the early postoperative period are: gastrostasis, pancreatic fistula, postoperative bleeding and pulmonary complications. According to World Health Organization (WHO) and reviews, severe COVID-19 usually occurs in older age patients, and in patients with oncological diseases.
Case description. Patient V., 64 years old, due to a tumor of the head of the pancreas with invasion of the distal common bile duct and the development of obstructive jaundice, underwent PDR. Histopathologically, ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head, G-2, was confirmed. The PDR operation was performed within healthy tissues, which was confirmed by histopathology.
On the second day after surgery, patient was admitted to ICU because of respiratory failure, the SARS-CoV-2 antigen test was positive, we suggest that the patient was in the latent period of COVID-19 disease during the surgery. Patient received hormone therapy, anticoagulants in therapeutic doses, O2-therapy. On the 5th day, because of severe ARDS, the patient was intubated, on the 7th day - convalescent plasma transfused (1 dose). On the 9th day, a tracheostomy was applied for airways care and early activation. Respiratory support was provided twelve days. Patient received early activation, exercises, as well as early enteral nutrition. After ICU discharge, patient’s condition was complicated by the gastro-intestinal bleeding, blood transfusion and embolization of the dorsal pancreatic artery were performed. On the day 66th after surgery patient was discharged home in satisfactory condition.
Conclusion. General care and early activation of the patient within early tracheostomy, convalescent plasma usage and the well-coordinated work of the surgical and anesthesiological teams allows timely identification and elimination of early postoperative complications after Whipple’s operation with marginal resection of the portal vein.
A potential intraoperative disaster averted: Preduodenal portal vein compressing a preduodenal common bile duct
