Is intra-abdominal drainage necessary after pancreaticoduodenectomy? Journal Article


Authors: Heslin, M. J.; Harrison, L. E.; Brooks, A. D.; Hochwald, S. N.; Coit, D. G.; Brennan, M. F.
Article Title: Is intra-abdominal drainage necessary after pancreaticoduodenectomy?
Abstract: Closed suction drains after pancreaticoduodenectomy are theoretically used to drain potential collections and anastomotic leaks. It is unknown whether such drains are effective, harmful, or affect the outcome after this operation. Eighty-nine consecutive patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for presumed periampullary malignancy and were retrospectively reviewed. Thirty-eight had no intra-abdominal drains and 51 had drains placed at the conclusion of the operation. We analyzed patient, nutritional, laboratory, and operating room factors with end points being complications and length of hospital stay. Intra-abdominal complications were defined as intra-abdominal abscess and pancreatic or biliary fistula. Postoperative interventions were defined as CT-guided drainage and reoperation. Analysis was by Student's t test and chi-square test. Two of eight surgeons contributed 92% of the patients without drains. The groups were equivalent with respect to demographic, nutritional, and operative factors. Time under anesthesia was significantly shorter in the group without drains (P = 0.0001). There was no statistical difference in the rate of fistula, abscess, CT drainage, or length of hospital stay. Intra-abdominal drainage did not significantly alter the risk of fistula, abscess, or reoperation or the necessity for CT-guided intervention after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Routine use of drains after pancreaticoduodenectomy may not be necessary and should be subjected to a randomized trial.
Keywords: aged; retrospective studies; pancreaticoduodenectomy; computer assisted tomography; abdominal abscess; risk factors; tomography, x-ray computed; retrospective study; risk factor; time; time factors; postoperative complication; postoperative complications; length of stay; hospitalization; abdomen; reoperation; general anesthesia; interventional radiology; anesthesia, general; radiography, interventional; chi-square distribution; bile duct fistula; anastomosis; pancreatic fistula; anastomosis, surgical; exudates and transudates; chi square distribution; suction; nutrition; bile duct tumor; common bile duct neoplasms; pancreas fistula; exudate; humans; human; male; female; article; nutrition physiology; biliary fistula
Journal Title: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery
Volume: 2
Issue: 4
ISSN: 1091-255X
Publisher: Springer  
Date Published: 1998-08-01
Start Page: 373
End Page: 378
Language: English
PUBMED: 9841995
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI: 10.1016/S1091-255X(98)80077-2
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 12 December 2016 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Murray F Brennan
    1059 Brennan
  2. Ari D Brooks
    25 Brooks
  3. Daniel Coit
    542 Coit
  4. Martin J. Heslin
    30 Heslin