Background/purpose: Using a standardized technique for pancreaticojejunostomy that we term "pair-watch suturing technique", we prospectively analyzed the effects of a pancreatic stent tube for preventing pancreatic fistula and furthermore evaluated which perioperative factors had an influence on the development of pancreatic fistula.
Operative procedure: Before anastomosis, we imagine the faces of a pair of wristwatches on the jejunal hole and pancreatic duct. The first stitch was put between 9 o'clock on the pancreatic side and 3 o'clock on the jejunal side, and a total of 7 stitches were put in the posterior wall, followed by 5 stitches in the anterior wall. Using this technique, twelve stitches can be sutured in the first layer anastomosis regardless of the caliber of the pancreatic duct.
Patients and methods: From March 2007 to April 2009, 55 consecutive patients who underwent the pair-watch suturing technique were divided into two groups: stent (n = 28) and no-stent (n = 27). The incidence rate of pancreatic fistula was statistically analyzed. From March 2007 to March 2011, 102 consecutive patients were retrospectively divided into two groups according to the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula criteria: postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) and non-POPF.
Results: Perioperative factors were almost the same between the stent and no-stent groups, and the incidence of pancreatic fistula was very similar: 10.7% in the stent group and 14.8% in the no-stent group. Additionally, all patients who developed pancreatic fistula belonged to grade A. Among 102 patients, 15 (14.7%) were identified as having pancreatic fistula: 9 (8.8%) in grade A, 5 (4.9%) in grade B, and 1 (0.9%) in grade C. Comparing the POPF and non-POPF groups, we could not detect any significant risk factors for the development of pancreatic fistula.
Conclusion: We consider that the pair-watch suturing technique is less susceptible to any factors, providing reliable anastomosis for any size of pancreatic duct and any texture of remnant pancreas.