Wrapping the pancreas with a polyglycolic acid sheet before stapling reduces the risk of fluid collection on the pancreatic stump after distal pancreatectomy

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.

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Irrigation and passive drainage of pancreatic stump after distal pancreatectomy in high-risk patients: an innovative approach to reduce pancreatic fistula

Langenbeck s Archives of Surgery ◽

10.1007/s00423-020-02012-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 405 (8) ◽

pp. 1233-1241

Author(s):

Olga Adamenko ◽

Carlo Ferrari ◽

Jan Schmidt

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Pancreatic Fistula ◽

Distal Pancreatectomy ◽

Surgical Complication ◽

Fluid Collection ◽

Ringer Solution ◽

Pancreatic Stump ◽

High Risk Patients ◽

Risk Patients ◽

Drain Amylase

Abstract Introduction Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) represents the most common form of morbidity after distal pancreatectomy (DP). The aim of this study was to illustrate an innovative technique of irrigation and passive drainage to reduce clinically relevant POPF (CR-POPF) incidence in high-risk patients undergoing DP. Material and methods Twelve consecutive high-risk patients received irrigation and passive drainage of the pancreatic stump with a Salem sump drainage after DP. The Salem sump was irrigated with 100 ml/h of Ringer solution for 2 postoperative days (POD). In the case of low-drain amylase and lipase levels on POD 3, the irrigation was reduced to 50 ml/h. Persistence of low-drain pancreatic enzymes on POD 4 allowed for interruption of irrigation and subsequent removal of drainage from POD 7 onward in the absence of evidence of any pancreatic fistula. Results Overall, 16.6% of the patients experienced a grade 3 or higher surgical complication. We experienced only one case of POPF: the fistula was classified as grade B and it was managed with radiologic drainage of the fluid collection. We did not experience any case of re-operation nor in-hospital mortality. Conclusions Irrigation with passive drainage of the pancreatic stump after DP is an interesting approach for CR-POPF prevention in high-risk patients.

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