Comparison of surgical outcomes of three different stump closure techniques during distal pancreatectomy

Abstract Background To find the appropriate method of pancreatic transection during distal pancreatectomy (DP), we retrospectively compared post-operative complications inluding postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) according to the different types of pancreatic transection. Methods This study included 169 patients who underwent pancreatic transection using an ultrasonic activated device (USAD) with transfixion of the pancreatic duct (DP-TF group, n = 89), USAD followed by pancreaticogastrostomy (DP-PG group, n = 44), and a reinforced linear tristapler (DP-ST, n = 36). Results Overall and POPF-related complications in DP-PG group, and delayed gastric emptying (DGE) in DP-ST group were significantly lower than DP-TF group. There were no significant difference in overall complication, length of hospitalization and operative costs between DP-PG and DP-ST groups. Operative time was significantly longer in DP-PG group than others. Conclusion Both DP-PG and DP-ST are associated with better surgical outcomes. Regarding ease of surgical technique, shorter operative times, and similar medical costs, DP with a reinforced linear tristapler is a good choice during DP.