A Single-site Interventional Study on the Contemporary Relevance of Braun Enteroenterostomy After Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Abstract

Braun enteroenterostomy following pancreaticoduodenectomy is a standard procedure. It has been reported to decrease bile reflux and vomiting, prevent reflux gastritis and delay gastric emptying (DGE). However, some reports suggest that the incidence of DGE is unaffected with this procedure. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate whether Braun enteroenterostomy was effective after pancreaticoduodenectomy. A total of 145 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy were enrolled and divided into 2 groups i.e., 51 patients with Braun enteroenterostomy (B group) and 94 patients without Braun enteroenterostomy (non-B group). We compared the perioperative data of the patients. Patients who reported postoperative symptoms underwent gastrointestinal endoscopic evaluation. The incidence of DGE was 7.4% (7/94) and 1.9% (1/51) in the non-B and B groups, respectively (p=0.36), with no significant difference between the groups. During follow-up, some patients reported symptoms including epigastralgia, nausea and melena. The incidence of these symptoms was 27.7% (26 patients; 26/94) and 23.5% (12 patients; 12/51) in non-B and B groups, respectively. Regarding gastrointestinal endoscopic findings, the incidence of anastomotic ulcer was 7.7% (2/26) and 16.7% (2/12) in non-B and B groups, respectively (p=0.40). Bile reflux incidence was 30.8% (8/26) and 0% (0/12) in non-B and B groups, respectively (p=0.03). Though Braun enteroenterostomy was related to bile reflux, it did not affect the incidence of anastomotic and gastric ulcers or DGE. Therefore, it may not be a necessary procedure after pancreaticoduodenectomy.