Pancreatic isthmus intersection with preliminary suturing of arteries in this area

Abstract

To analyze the early results of pancreatoduodenectomies with different methods of pancreatic isthmus transection. There were 82 pancreatoduodenectomies for cancer of pancreatic head or major duodenal papilla for the period 2010-2019. The control group comprised 38 patients with pancreatic isthmus transection and no preliminary suturing of local vessels. The study group consisted of 44 patients who underwent preliminary intersection of pancreatic isthmus vessels. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were used for grouping. We evaluated total intraoperative blood loss and blood loss following pancreatic isthmus transection, incidence and structure of postoperative complications. Total intraoperative blood loss was 755.12±108.61 vs. 698.45±92.87 ml, respectively (p>0.05). Intraoperative blood loss following pancreatic isthmus transection was 48.21±9.11 vs. 7.83±1.72 ml, respectively (p<0.01). Incidence of postoperative complications and redo surgeries was similar. Postoperative bleeding occurred in 5 (13.15%) patients of the 1st group (class A - 2.63%; B - 5.26%; C - 5.26%) and 2 (4.54%) patients of the 2nd group (A - 4.54%; B and C - 0%). There were no significant differences in the incidence of other complications and postoperative mortality. Pre-stitching of arterial vessels of the pancreatic isthmus reduces blood loss following intersection (p<0.01), as well as the incidence of postoperative bleeding class B and C (p<0.05).