Surgical complications of Pancreatectomy

The mortality for pancreatectomy has decreased to a very low level in recent years but morbidity remains high. The most frequent post-operative complications of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) are delayed gastric emptying (DGE) in 20% and pancreatic fistula (PF) in 10-15%. DGE is associated with other abdominal complications in half the cases; these must be delineated by CT scan and specifically treated. Isolated DGE usually resolves within three weeks with the use of nasogastric suction and pro-kinetic drugs. FP following PD may be preventable with the use of temporary trans-jejunal intubation of Wirsung's duct or by intussusception of the pancreatic margin into the jejunal lumen. FP occurring after PD will heal with conservative management (total parenteral nutrition, peripancreatic drainage, somatostatin analogues) in 80-90% of cases but secondary complications such as peritonitis, arterial erosion and pseudo-aneurysm may be life-threatening. Early hemorrhage (in the first 48-72 hours) must be treated by re-operation. Late hemorrhage (usually secondary to PF) and ischemic complications are rare (3% and 1% respectively), difficult to treat, and associated with high mortality. PF is also the main complication of distal pancreatectomy and enucleation of pancreatic tumors (10-20% and 30% respectively). These PF resolve with conservative treatment in more than 95% of cases but may justify an ERCP sphincterotomy if drainage is prolonged. After medial pancreatectomy, PF occurs in 20-30% of cases, arising from either of the two transected pancreatic surfaces.