RESULTS OF PANCREATOGASTROSTOMY AFTER PANCREATICODUODENECTOMY IN 160 CONSECUTIVE PATIENTS

Background The advantages of pancreatogastrostomy over pancreatojejuno stomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy are still debated. This study anal yses the results of pancreatogastrostomy to identify factors that coul d influence immediate outcome. Methods During a 10-year period, 160 co nsecutive patients underwent a pancreatogastrostomy. There were 109 me n (68 per cent) and 51 women (32 per cent) with a mean(s.d.) age of 59 (10) (range 22-82) years; 27 patients were older than 70 years. The fo llowing parameters were assessed: mortality rate, morbidity, reasons f or reoperation, length of hospital stay, duration of nasogastric tube and drainage. Results Hospital mortality rate was 3 per cent; overall morbidity rate was 30 per cent. The reoperation rate was 12 per cent, mainly because of bleeding at the pancreatic margin. Delayed gastric e mptying occurred in 36 patients. The overall rate of pancreatic fistul a was 25 per cent. Age, sex, indications for pancreatoduodenectomy, an d the texture of the pancreatic remnant did not influence the occurren ce of pancreatic fistula or delayed gastric emptying. Conclusion This study confirmed that pancreatogastrostomy is a safe procedure with low mortality and morbidity rates.