Surgical Options to Mitigate the Consequences of Pancreatic Anastomosis Leak after Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Abstract

Pancreaticoduodenectomy is still the only treatment option that offers a chance to cure patients with pancreatic cancer and malignant periampullary tumors. Pancreaticojejunal anastomosis is the preferred method of reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy. However, because of the high incidence of anastomotic leak and subsequent severe consequences, pancreaticojejunal anastomosis still remains the Achilles’ heel of the operation. Several technical modifications of pancreaticojejunal anastomosis exist, but none completely eliminates anastomotic leak, postoperative pancreatic fistula, or severe complications. Therefore, considerable efforts have been made to study and develop surgical options that can mitigate the severity and avoid fatal consequences of postoperative pancreatic fistula. This chapter presents and discusses some of the existing and emerging surgical strategies devoted to mitigating the catastrophic consequences of pancreatic anastomotic leaks.