Systematic review of delayed postoperative hemorrhage after pancreatic resection

Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH): predictors and management from a prospective database

BACKGROUND

Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) is a dreaded complication in pancreatic surgery. Today, there is a definition and grading of PPH without therapeutic consensus. We reviewed our prospective database to identify predictors and assess therapeutic strategy.

METHOD

We included all patients who underwent pancreatectomy between 2005 and 2010. Data were collected prospectively. We used the International Study Group Of Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) definition for PPH to include patients in the PPH group.

RESULTS

Forty-six of 285 patients showed a PPH (16.1 %). The ISGPS classification was graded A = 3, B = 26, and C = 17. The average time to the onset of PPH was 7 days. CT-scan identified the origin of PPH in 43.5 % of the cases. PPH was responsible for a longer duration of hospital stay (p = 0.004), a higher hospital mortality (21.7 vs 2.5 %, p < 0.0001) and a lower survival (40 vs 70 % (p = 0.05) at 36 months). The first-intention treatment of PPH was conservative in 32 % and interventional in 68 %: endoscopy (6.4 %), transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE, 30.4 %), and surgical (30.4 %). In multivariate analysis, predictors of PPH were: pancreatic fistula (24 vs 8 % p = 0.028), pancreatoduodenectomy (70 vs 43 % p = 0.029), age (61.6 vs 58.8 %, p = 0.03), and nutritional risk index (NRI) (p = 0.048).

CONCLUSION

In our series, risk factors for PPH were age, pancreatic fistula, pancreatoduodenectomy, and NRI. Its occurrence is associated with significantly higher hospital mortality and a lower survival rate. Our first-line treatment was radiological TAE. Surgical treatment is offered in case of failure of interventional radiology or in case of uncontrolled hemodynamic.

Reoperation following Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Introduction. The literature on reoperation following pancreaticoduodenectomy is sparse and does not address all concerns. Aim. To analyze the incidence, causes, and outcome of patients undergoing reoperations following pancreaticoduodenectomy. Methods. Retrospective analysis of 520 consecutive patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy from May 1989 to September 2010. Results. 96 patients (18.5%) were reoperated; 72 were early, 18 were late, and 6 underwent both early and late reoperations. Indications for early reoperation were post pancreatectomy hemorrhage in 53 (68%), pancreatico-enteric anastomotic leak in 10 (13%), hepaticojejunostomy leak in 3 (3.8%), duodenojejunostomy leak in 4 (5%), intestinal obstruction in 1 (1.2%) and miscellaneous causes in 7 (9%). Patients reoperated early did not fare poorly on long-term follow up. Indications for late reoperations were complications of index surgery (n = 12), recurrence of the primary disease (n = 8), complications of adjuvant radiotherapy (n = 3), and gastrointestinal bleed (n = 1). The median survival of 16 patients reoperated late without recurrent disease was 49 months. Conclusion. Early reoperations following pancreaticoduodenectomy, commonly for post pancreatectomy hemorrhage, carries a high mortality due to associated sepsis, but has no impact on long-term survival. Long-term complications related to pancreaticoduodenectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy can be managed successfully with good results.

Pancreatic surgery for adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pancreatic resection remains among the most formidable and complex of abdominal surgical operations. Nonetheless, recent observations have continued to provide incremental improvement in both our evidence for treatment regimens and the technology, resulting in better outcomes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Neoadjuvant regimens appear to have promise, at least in local control and perhaps in long-term survival. More extensive operations focusing on perineural invasion along with minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic techniques are attracting increasing attention. The effectiveness of major vascular resection remains controversial. Concentration of patients in centers of expertise has contributed to improved outcomes.

SUMMARY

Improved management of pancreatic resections for cancer with more extensive and less-invasive surgical techniques has increased the number of patients who are candidates for effective surgical treatment.

Contemporary experience with postpancreatectomy hemorrhage: results of 1,122 patients resected between 2006 and 2011

BACKGROUND

Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) is a life-threatening complication of pancreatic resection. Most published series span decades and do not reflect contemporary practice. This study analyzes the rate, management, and outcomes of PPH during a recent 5-year period.

STUDY DESIGN

Patients in whom PPH developed between 2006 and 2011 were identified from a prospective database. Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage was defined as evidence of bleeding associated with a drop in hemoglobin (≥ 3 g/dL) and/or clinical signs of hemodynamic compromise, and categorized as early or late (<24 hours or >24 hours from operation). Demographics and operative and perioperative outcomes were analyzed using standard descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Overall incidence of PPH was 3% (33 of 1,122 pancreatectomies) and was similar for pancreaticoduodenectomy (25 of 739 [3%]), distal (6 of 350 [2%]), and central pancreatectomy (2 of 31 [6%]) (p = 0.26). Early hemorrhage was seen in 21% (7 of 33) and was always extraluminal; these patients underwent reoperation and recovered fully. Late hemorrhage (26 of 33 [79%]) was predominantly intraluminal (18 of 26 [69%]), occurring at a median of 12 days postoperatively (4 to 23 days), and was treated endoscopically (13 of 26 [50%]), angiographically (10 of 26 [38%]), or surgically (3 of 26 [10%]). Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage was associated with longer hospitalization (10 [range 8 to 17] days vs 7 [range 6 to 9] days; p < 0.01); mortality, however, was not increased (1 of 33 [3%] vs 17 of 1,089 [2%]; p = 0.95). Hemorrhage began after discharge in 39% of patients (13 of 33), with the only death occurring in a patient from this group.

CONCLUSIONS

Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage can be managed successfully with low mortality (3%). Early hemorrhage requires urgent reoperation, and management of delayed hemorrhage should be guided by location (intra- vs extraluminal). Greater pressure to reduce length of hospital stay appears to have increased the likelihood of PPH occurring after discharge; patients and physicians should be aware of this possibility.