Pancreaticogastrostomy and prophylactic octreotide therapy in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy

ABSTRACT

A series of 24 patients [16 males and 9 females] who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between February 1997 and November 1998 was included in this study. Pancreaticogastrostomy was used to reconstruct the pancreatic stump. Prophylactic octreotide therapy was used for a minimum of one week postoperatively. One patient died from postoperative bleeding and coagulopathy. Two patients developed pancreatic fistula which was resolved on a continuation of octreotide therapy and parentral nutrition within 14 days. There was no mortality or major morbidity related to the pancreatic fistula. It was concluded that pancreaticogastrostomy is a safe drainage procedure for the pancreatic stump after pancreaticoduodenectomy. The additional prophylactic use of octreotide could help in decreasing postoperative pancreatic fistula rate and its consequences