Pancreatic head resection with second-portion duodenectomy for benign lesions, low-grade malignancies, and early stage carcinomas involving the pancreatic head region

Background: Preservation of arterial blood supply to the duodenum and commo n bile duct during duodenum-preserving total resection of the pancreatic he ad is a major problem. We describe here a new procedure comprising pancreat ic head resection with second-portion duodenectomy to overcome it. Methods: The procedure was performed in 18 patients with benign lesions, lo w-grade malignancies, or early stage carcinomas involving the pancreatic he ad and with carcinoma of the middle bile duct or the gallbladder. The techn ique preserves the third portion of the duodenum by conserving the anterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery. The second portion of the duodenum is divided, followed by division of the lower bile duct and pancreatic neck. After resection followed by duodenoduodenostomy, there is a choice of two p rocedures: type A, pancreaticoduodenostomy and choledochoduodenostomy; or t ype B, pancreaticojejunostomy and hepatodochojejunostomy. Results: There were no operative or hospital deaths (type A, 6; type B, 12) . Postoperative complications occurred in 2 patients, but the others had an uneventful postoperative course. The quality of life of all patients has b een satisfactory up to 36 months postoperatively. Conclusion: This procedure is a reliable option as an organ-preserving proc edure for benign lesions, low-grade malignancies, and early stage carcinoma s involving the pancreatic head. (C) 2001 Excerpta Medica, Inc. All rights reserved.