Outcome of pancreatic anastomoses during pancreatoduodenectomy in two national audits

Assessment of postoperative morbidity in Spanish hospitals: Results from a national survey

BACKGROUND

The methodology used for recording, evaluating and reporting postoperative complications (PC) is unknown. The aim of the present study was to determine how PC are recorded, evaluated, and reported in General and Digestive Surgery Services (GDSS) in Spain, and to assess their stance on morbidity audits.

METHODS

Using a cross-sectional study design, an anonymous survey of 50 questions was sent to all the heads of GDSS at hospitals in Spain.

RESULTS

The survey was answered by 67 out of 222 services (30.2%). These services have a reference population (RP) of 15 715 174 inhabitants, representing 33% of the Spanish population. Only 15 services reported being requested to supply data on morbidity by their hospital administrators. Eighteen GDSS, with a RP of 3 241 000 (20.6%) did not record PC. Among these, 7 were accredited for some area of training. Thirty-six GDSS (RP 8 753 174 (55.7%) did not provide details on all PC in patients' discharge reports. Twenty-four (37%) of the 65 GDSS that had started using a new surgical procedure/technique had not recorded PC in any way. Sixty-five GDSS were not concerned by the prospect of their results being audited, and 65 thought that a more comprehensive knowledge of PC would help them improve their results. Out of the 37 GDSS that reported publishing their results, 27 had consulted only one source of information: medical progress records in 11 cases, and discharge reports in 9.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reflects serious deficiencies in the recording, evaluation and reporting of PC by GDSS in Spain.

Postoperative pancreatic fistula after pancreaticogastrostomy versus pancreatojejunostomy after pancreatic resection, a comparative systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

In patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), there has been some evidence favoring pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) over pancreatojejunostomy (PJ) in the occurrence of postoperative pancreatic fistulas (POPF) and considering PG as a safer anastomotic technique. However, other publications revealed comparable incidences of POPF attributed to both techniques. The current work attempts to reach a more consolidated conclusion about such an issue.

METHODS

This is a systematic review and meta-analysis that analyzed the studies comparing PG and PJ during PD in terms of the rate of POPF occurrence. Studies were obtained by searching the Scopus, PubMed Central, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases.

RESULTS

35 articles published between 1995 and 2022 presented data from 14,666 patients; 4547 underwent PG and 10,119 underwent PJ. Statistically significant lower rates of POPF (p = 0.044) and clinically relevant CR-POPF (p = 0.043) were shown in the PG group. The post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) was significantly higher in the PG group, while no significant difference was found between the two groups in the clinically significant PPH. No statistically significant differences were found regarding the amount of intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay, DGE, overall morbidity rates, reoperation rates, or mortality rates. The percentage of male sex in the PG group and the percentage of soft pancreas in the PJ group seem to influence the odds ratio of CR-POPF (p = 0.076 and 0.074, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The present study emphasizes the superiority of PG over PJ regarding CR-POPF rates. Higher rates of postoperative hemorrhage were associated with PG. Yet, the clinically significant hemorrhage rate was comparable between the two groups.

Novel invagination procedure for pancreaticojejunostomy using double purse string sutures: A technical note

BACKGROUND

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is one of the most serious complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), and the choice of pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) is considered a key factor affecting the occurrence of POPF. Numerous anastomotic methods and their modifications have been proposed, and there is no method that can completely avoid the occurrence of POPF. Based on our team's experience in pancreatic surgery and a review of relevant literature, we describe a novel invagination procedure for PJ using double purse string sutures, which has resulted in favourable outcomes.

AIM

To describe the precise procedural steps, technical details and clinical efficacy of the novel invagination procedure for PJ.

METHODS

This study adopted a single-arm retrospective cohort study methodology, involving a total of 65 consecutive patients who underwent PD with the novel invagination procedure for PJ, including the placement of a pancreatic stent, closure of the residual pancreatic end, and two layers of purse-string suturing. Baseline data included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), pancreatic texture, pancreatic duct diameter, operation time, and blood loss. Clinical outcomes included the operation time, blood loss, and incidence of POPF, postoperative haemorrhage, delayed gastric emptying, postoperative pulmonary infection, postoperative abdominal infection, and postoperative pulmonary infection.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 59.12 (± 8.08) years. Forty males and 25 females were included, and the mean BMI was 21.61 kg/m2 (± 2.74). A total of 41.53% of patients had a pancreatic duct diameter of 3 mm or less. The mean operation time was 263.83 min (± 59.46), and the mean blood loss volume was 318.4 mL (± 163.50). Following the surgical intervention, only three patients showed grade B POPF (4.62%), while no patients showed grade C POPF. Five patients (5/65, 7.69%) were diagnosed with postoperative haemorrhage. Six patients (6/65, 9.23%) experienced delayed gastric emptying. Four patients (4/65, 6.15%) developed postoperative pulmonary infection, while an equivalent number (4/65, 6.15%) exhibited postoperative abdominal infection. Additionally, two patients (2/65, 3.08%) experienced postoperative pulmonary infection.

CONCLUSION

The novel invagination technique for PJ is straightforward, yields significant outcomes, and has proven to be safe and feasible for clinical application.

Outcomes of Duct-to-Mucosa vs. Invagination Pancreatojejunostomy: Toward a Personalized Approach for Distal Pancreatic Stump Anastomosis in Central Pancreatectomy?

(1) Background: The jejunum is primarily used for distal pancreatic stump anastomoses after central pancreatectomy (CP). The study aimed to compare duct-to-mucosa (WJ) and distal pancreatic invagination into jejunum anastomoses (PJ) after CP. (2) Methods: All patients with CP and jejunal anastomoses (between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2022) were retrospectively assessed and compared. (3) Results: 29 CP were analyzed: WJ-12 patients (41.4%) and PJ-17 patients (58.6%). The operative time was significantly higher in the WJ vs. PJ group of patients (195 min vs. 140 min, p = 0.012). Statistically higher rates of patients within the high-risk fistula group were observed in the PJ vs. WJ group (52.9% vs. 0%, p = 0.003). However, no differences were observed between the groups regarding the overall, severe, and specific postpancreatectomy morbidity rates (p values ≥ 0.170). (4) Conclusions: The WJ and PJ anastomoses after CP were comparable in terms of morbidity rates. However, a PJ anastomosis appeared to fit better for patients with high-risk fistula scores. Thus, a personalized, patient-adapted technique for the distal pancreatic stump anastomosis with the jejunum after CP should be considered. At the same time, future research should explore gastric anastomoses' emerging role.

Severity of Pancreatic Leak in Relation to Gut Restoration After Pancreaticoduodenectomy: The Role of the Roux-en-Y Configuration

Background

Pancreatic leak after pancreaticoduodenectomy and gut restoration via a single jejunal loop remains the crucial predictor of patients' outcome. Our reasoning that active pancreatic enzymes may be more disruptive to the pancreatojejunostomy prompted us to explore a Roux-en-Y configuration for the gut restoration, anticipating diversion of bile salts away from the pancreatic stump. Our study aims at comparing two techniques regarding the severity of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) and patients' outcome.

Methods

The files of 415 pancreaticoduodenectomy patients were retrospectively reviewed. Based on gut restoration, the patients were divided into: cohort A (n = 105), with gut restoration via a single jejunal loop, cohort B (n = 140) via a Roux-en-Y technique assigning the draining of pancreatic stump to the short limb and gastrojejunostomy and bile (hepaticojejunostomy) flow to long limb, and cohort C (n = 170) granting the short limb to the gastric and pancreatic anastomosis, whereas hepaticojejunostomy was performed to the long limp. The POPF-related morbidity and mortality were analyzed.

Results

Overall POPF in cohort A versus cohorts B and C was 19% versus 12.1% and 9.4%, respectively (P = 0.01 A vs B + C). POPF-related morbidity in cohort A versus cohorts B and C was 10.5% versus 7.3% and 6.3%, respectively (P = 0.03 A vs B+C). POPF-related total hospital mortality in cohorts A versus B and C was 1.9% versus 0.8% and 0.59%, respectively (P = 0.02 A vs B+C).

Conclusion

Roux-en-Y configuration showed lower incidence and severity of POPF. Irrespective of technical skill, creating a gastrojejunostomy close to pancreatojejunostomy renders the pancreatic enzymes less active by leaping the bile salts away from the pancreatic duct and providing a lower pH.