Effect of Jejunal and Biliary Decompression on Postoperative Complications and Pancreatic Leakage Arising from Pancreatojejunostomy after Pancreatoduodenectomy

Abstract

Since its introduction, reconstruction after pancreatoduodenectomy has undergone numerous modifications, leading to a dramatic decline in the mortality rate. However, the reported morbidity rate, due mainly to pancreatic leakage, still remains high. Between January 1999 and April 2005, 102 consecutive patients underwent pancreatojejunostomy after pancreatoduodenectomy. Patients treated by biliary decompression alone (n = 58) were compared with patients treated by jejunal decompression alone (n = 40). Four patients who underwent both biliary and jejunal decompression were excluded from the study. Patients who underwent jejunal decompression had a significantly lower incidence of overall postoperative complications (P = 0.028), pancreatic leakage (P = 0.009), and infection (P = 0.011) than patients who underwent biliary decompression. Only one patient who underwent biliary decompression died as a direct result of pancreatic leakage. Discontinuation of biliary decompression with postoperative jejunal decompression using tube jejunostomy may be a good option in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy, because it appears to reduce the incidence of overall postoperative complications, pancreatic leakage, and infection.