Stump closure of a thick pancreas using stapler closure increases pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The appropriate surgical stump closure after distal pancreatectomy (DP) is still controversial. This study investigated the benefits and risks of stapler closure during DP.

METHODS:

The risk factors of pancreatic fistulas were investigated in 122 DPs among 3 types of stump closure: hand-sewn suture (n = 32), bipolar scissors (n = 45), and stapler closure (n = 45).

RESULTS:

There was no significant difference in the incidence of pancreatic fistula between the 3 types of stump closure (hand-sewn suture [44%] vs bipolar scissors [37.7%] vs stapler closure [35.5%]). By using receiver operating characteristics curves, 12 mm was the best cutoff value of the thickness of the pancreas for pancreatic fistulas after DP using stapler closure. Three factors (ie, male sex, body mass index >25 kg/m(2), and stapler closure) were independent risk factors of pancreatic fistulas after DP with a pancreas thicker than 12 mm.

CONCLUSIONS:

A pancreas thicker than 12 mm significantly increased the incidence of pancreatic fistulas after DP using stapler closure.

• Authors: Manabu Kawai, Masaji Tani, Ken-ichi Okada, Seiko Hirono, Motoki Miyazawa, Astusi Shimizu, Yuji Kitahata, Hiroki Yamaue
• Journal: American journal of surgery (Am J Surg) Vol. 206 Issue 3 Pg. 352-9 (Sep 2013) ISSN: 1879-1883 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23806829 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Aged
• Body Mass Index
• Chi-Square Distribution
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pancreas (pathology, surgery)
• Pancreatectomy
• Pancreatic Fistula (etiology)
• Postoperative Complications (etiology)
• ROC Curve
• Risk Factors
• Statistics, Nonparametric
• Surgical Stapling (adverse effects)
• Suture Techniques