Safe and beneficial outcomes of pancreaticogastrostomy with endoscopic transgastric drainage for pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSES: The optimal surgical technique and perioperative management to prevent postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) formation after pancreaticoduodenectomy have not yet been established. This study examined the perioperative outcomes of pancreaticogastrostomy with endoscopic transgastric drainage. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 191 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between 2016 and 2023. They were divided into two groups pancreaticojejunostomy group (n = 135) and pancreaticogastrostomy group (n = 56). We compared preoperative factors and postoperative outcomes. We performed endoscopic drainage only in the pancreaticogastrostomy group. RESULTS: Preoperative factors were similar between the two groups. Operative time [480 (404-542) vs. 382 (346-458) minutes], blood loss [505 (270-850) vs. 315 (145-535) g], pseudoaneurysm formation (7 % vs. 0 %), and postoperative hospital stay [28 (22-38) vs. 19 (17-24) days] were significantly lower in the pancreaticogastrostomy group. In the analysis of 41 patients with POPF, postoperative hospital stay [40 (23-108) vs. 27 (18-54) days] and hospital stay after POPF diagnosis [30 (10-99) vs. 15 (5-35) days] were significantly shorter in the pancreaticogastrostomy group. Endoscopic transgastric drainage was performed in 77 % of patients in the pancreaticogastrostomy group, and drainage was successfully completed in all patients. CONCLUSION: Pancreaticogastrostomy with endoscopic transgastric drainage could be effective for the safe management of pancreaticoduodenectomy.