Pancreatogastrostomy as reconstruction for pancreatoduodenectomy: Review

A summary of 733 reported cases of pancreatogastrostomy (PG) as a reconstru ctive procedure following pancreatoduodenectomy and the traumatically sever ed pancreas indicates an aggregate leakage rate of 4% over a 52-year period . Although mortality rates have declined over this period, the reported hig h correlation of leak with mortality seems to indicate the greater safety o f PG over other methods for treating the residual pancreatic duct. The lowe r rate of complications related to pancreatocutaneous fistula from PG shoul d correlate with shorter and less expensive hospital stays for patients tre ated with this technique. Several questions regarding technique must await further investigation.