[Predicting of pancreatic fistula after pancreatoduodenectomy]

[Pancreaticoduodenectomy - results and prospects (two-center study)]

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the results of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic tumors and complications of chronic pancreatitis regarding prediction and prevention of postoperative complications.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

There were 336 PD procedures between 2016 and mid-2022 in two centers. We assessed the factors influencing specific postoperative complications (postoperative pancreatitis, pancreatic fistula, gastric stasis, arrosive bleeding). Several risk factors were distinguished: baseline pancreatic disease and tumor size, CT-signs of a «soft» gland, intraoperative assessment of the pancreas, number of functioning acinar structures. We assessed surgical prevention of pancreatic fistula via preserving adequate blood supply to the pancreatic stump. The last one is provided by extended pancreatic resection and reconstructive stage of surgery, i.e. Roux-en-Y hepatico- and duodenojejunostomy with isolation of pancreaticojejunostomy on the second loop.

RESULTS

Postoperative pancreatitis underlies specific complications after PD. The risk of pancreatic fistula in case of postoperative pancreatitis increases by 5.3 times compared to patients without pancreatitis. Postoperative pancreatic fistula is more common in patients with T1 and T2 tumors. According to univariate analysis, only pancreatic fistula significantly affects the risk of gastric stasis. Among 336 people who underwent PD, pancreatic fistula occurred in 69 patients (20.5%), gastric stasis - in 61 (18.2%), pancreatic fistula complicated by arrosive bleeding - in 45 (13.4%) patients. Mortality rate was 3.6% (n=15).

CONCLUSION

Modern prognostic criteria are valuable to predict specific complications after PD. A promising way to prevent postoperative pancreatitis can be extended pancreatic resection considering angioarchitectonics of the pancreatic stump. Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy is advisable to reduce aggressiveness of pancreatic fistula.

[Scoring systems to predict pancreatic fistula after Whipple procedure]

Specific complications is an «Achilles heel» of pancreaticoduodenectomy. Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is the most common specific complication. POPF prediction is an actual problem in pancreatic surgery. Analysis of statistically significant scoring systems to predict POPF is a modern trend in perioperative planning. Several prognostic scales (FRS, a-FRS, ua-FRS, Modified Fistula Risk Score) are recommended for clinical practice.