Incidence, risk factors, and treatment of pancreatic leakage after pancreaticoduodenectomy: drainage versus resection of the pancreatic remnant

Background: Pancreatic leakage is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy, with incidences varying between 6–24% and a mortality rate up to 40%. Treatment is an issue of controversy. In this study we analyzed risk factors for pancreatic leakage and the results of early resection of the pancreatic remnant versus drainage procedures for leakage of the pancreaticojejunostomy. Study Design: From 1983 to 1995, 269 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, with pancreaticojejunostomy. Patients with manifestations of pancreatic leakage were compared with nonleakage patients to evaluate risk factors. Patients with leakage were divided into two treatment groups. One group comprised patients undergoing percutaneous or surgical drainage procedures; the other had patients undergoing resection of the pancreatic remnant. Results: Twenty-nine patients (11%) had clinical manifestations of pancreatic leakage, and the mortality in these patients was 28% (overall mortality: 3.7%). Leakage occurred after a median of 5 days (range 1–20). Age, preoperative bilirubin level, and albumin counts were not risk factors for pancreatic leakage. Small pancreatic duct size (< 2 mm) (p < 0.01) and ampullary carcinoma as histopathologic diagnosis (p < 0.05) were risk factors. The median number of relaparotomies was two (range 0–4) in the drainage group (n = 21), versus 1.5 (range 1–5) in patients who underwent resection (n = 8). The median hospital stay was 74 days (range 36–219), versus 55 days (range 22–107) for the drainage and resection groups, respectively (p < 0.05). Mortality was lower in patients who underwent resection, 38 versus 0% (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Leakage of the pancreatic anastomosis is a severe complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy and carries a high mortality rate (28%). Completion pancreatectomy could be performed without additional mortality. In patients with severe and persistent leakage of the anastomosis, early completion pancreatectomy is the treatment of choice.