The safety and efficiency of the Blumgart anastomosis in pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the impact of the Blumgart anastomosis in pancreaticojejunostomy on the incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreaticoduodeneetomy (PD),and to study its safety and efficacy.Methods A total of 205 patients who underwent PD between January 2011 and February 2013 were retrospectively studied.The patients were divided into three groups depending on the pancreaticoenteric reconstruction:the Blumgart anastomosis group (n=37),the duct-to-mucosa anastomosis group (n =39) and the traditional invagination group (n=129).Postoperative morbidity were analyzed.Results The incidences of POPF after the Blumgart anastomosis (8.1％) was significantly lower than the duct-to-mucosa anastomosis group (23.1％ ; P=0.037) and the traditional invagination anastomosis group (30.2％ ; P=0.012).Multivariate analysis revealed soft pancreatic texture,pancreatic duct diameter ＜3 mm and non-Blumgart anastomosis were independent risk factors of POPF.On subgroup analysis,the Blumgart anastomosis was superior to the duct-to-mucosa anastomosis in patients with pancreatic duct diameter ＜ 3 mm (P=0.038),and showed advantages over the traditional invagination anastomosis in patients with soft pancreatic texture (P =0.001),as well as in patients with pancreatic duct diameter ＜ 3 mm (P=0.011).Conclusions The Blumgart anastomosis is a safe technique,and it could significantly reduced the rate of POPF.It should be routinely used for pancreatoenteric reconstruction after PD. Key words: Pancreaticoduodenectomy; Pancreaticojejunostomy; Pancreatic fistula