RESUMO
PURPOSE: Pancreatic fistula following distal pancreatectomies still remains a relevant problem. The present study describes our first series with a new method of pancreatic remnant closure. METHODS: A free fascia-peritoneum graft - harvested from the internal rectus sheet - was fixed onto the pancreatic stump by one circular stitch. The method was applied in 18 cases. RESULTS: The postoperative hospital stay was 8 days in average. No clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) developed. The morbidity rate was 39%, mostly Clavien-Dindo Grade II types. There was no reoperation or mortality. CONCLUSION: The first series showed advantageous results with our method. Certainly, further studies are needed for the evaluation of this new and promising technique.