Internal Versus External Drainage With a Pancreatic Duct Stent For Pancreaticojejunostomy During Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Patients at High Risk for Pancreatic Fistula: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine whether internal or external drainage with a pancreatic duct stent is the optimal pancreaticojejunostomy method to prevent pancreatic fistula (PF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for subgroups of patients at high risk for PF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 495 patients who underwent PD were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify risk factors for PF after PD. We further compared the incidence of PF and outcomes between the internal and external drainage groups for subgroups of patients at high risk for PF. RESULTS: There was no difference in the incidence of complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification or the rate of PF after PD in both groups (P = 0.961 and P = 0.505, respectively). The incidence of mortality was 3.8% in the internal drainage group and 3.9% in the external drainage group (P = 0.980). Univariate and multivariate analyses identified male gender (odds ratio [OR] = 2.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.78-4.83; P = 0.000), pancreatic duct diameter (<3 mm) (OR = 2.58; 95% CI, 1.57-4.23; P = 0.000), and soft pancreatic texture (OR = 2.92; 95% CI, 1.71-4.98; P = 0.000) as independent risk factors for PF after PD. No differences in the incidence of PF for the subgroups of patients with one, two, or three risk factors were observed between the internal and external drainage groups (P = 0.334, P = 1.000, and P = 0.936, respectively). No differences in total complications, delayed gastric emptying, postpancreatectomy hemorrhage, biliary fistula, infection complications, reoperation, perioperative mortality, or postoperative hospital stay were noted. In addition, liquid loss and tube-related complications occurred in the external drainage group. CONCLUSIONS: Internal drainage is the optimal method to prevent PF after PD for subgroups of patients at high risk for PF because the surgical procedure is simple and prevents liquid loss and tube-related complications associated with external drainage. However, no differences in the incidence of PF and other complications after PD were observed between the two approaches.

Long-term curative effects of combined hepatocholangioplasty with choledochostomy through an isolated jejunum passage on hepatolithiasis complicated by stricture.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocholangioplasty combined with choledochostomy was designed through an isolated jejunum passage in 1988. This study was undertaken to evaluate its long-term curative effects in 163 patients. METHODS: The 163 patients with hepatolithiasis complicated by stricture were treated with this procedure from 1988 to 2003. RESULTS: Among these patients, 19 patients with postoperative hepatolithiasis complicated by acute cholangitis were treated successfully with percutaneous paracentesis drainage through the isolated jejunum passage and without operation, 36 patients had postoperative residual or recurrent stones (35 patients had stones removed through the stoma and one underwent relaparotomy because of stenosis of the common bile duct along with stone in canceration). The clearance rate of stones after the isolated jejunum passage was 97%; 35 patients (21%) complicated with stricture due to hepatolith were treated with combined hepatocholangioplasty and choledochostomy. Follow-up for 1 to 15 years showed no recurrent stricture of the biliary tract. The operation also successfully prevented reflux cholangitis and other serious complications after Roux-en-Y cholangio-jejunostomy. CONCLUSION: Hepatocholangioplasty combined with choledochostomy through an isolated jejunum passage may significantly improve the long-term curative effects of hepatolithiasis with stricture.