RESUMO
Anastomotic fistulae are the most common and dreaded postoperative complications of pancreaticoduodenectomy. Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) and slow recovery of bowel function are contributing causes for postoperative pancreatic fistula (PoPF) that should be taken into consideration. The present study evaluates data from 17 consecutive cases that underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma with pancreaticojejunal anastomosis and circular stapled mechanical gastrojejunal anastomosis instead of the standard terminolateral technique. Three patients developed Grade A DGE (one also developed grade B PoPF) and one patient required reinsertion of the nasogastric tube due to Grade B PoPF. Overall, the incidence of DGE was 23.5%. Three patients developed Grade B pancreatic fistulae that were successfully managed conservatively. Twelve patients resumed early bowel movement within 4 days, two reinterventions were required for postoperative bleeding. Mean hospital stay was 11.5 days. Patients with DGE had a mean hospital stay of 14.5 days. No gastrojejunostomy leak was encountered. Mortality was nil. Therefore we consider the posterior circular stapled gastrojejunostomy a simple, reproducible, safe technical alternative for avoiding DGE and consequently help lower the risk of PoPF, increased costs associated with prolonged hospital stay and an improved postoperative quality of life.