Completion pancreatectomy in the acute management of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a systematic review and qualitative synthesis of the literature

Background

Pancreatic fistula remains a major complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Re-operation is generally considered only after exhaustion of non-surgical options. A variety of pancreas-preserving operations have been proposed, but completion pancreatectomy (CP) stands out in locally complicated cases as a universal approach. This study aims to provide a qualitative synthesis of the peer-reviewed literature regarding emergency CP for post-PD pancreatic fistula.

Methods

A systematic search of PubMed and EMBASE for all studies reporting clinical outcomes for CP in the acute treatment of pancreatic fistula following PD from January 1975 until May 2016.

Results

Eleven patient-series with a total of 5566 PD and 151 (3%) emergency CP were included. Median time from PD to CP ranged from 6 to 17 days (7 studies), and mean operative time and blood loss – reported in only two studies – were 197 min and 2173 mL respectively. Re-laparotomy following CP was required in 35% of patients. Median hospital length-of-stay varied from 21 to 64 days, and postoperative mortality was 42%.

Conclusions

Emergency surgery for postoperative pancreatic fistula should only be considered after expert consultation. CP carries a high risk of mortality, and it is most commonly recommended for a selected subgroup of patients with locally complicated fistula.