One-layer pancreaticojejunostomy for prevention of pancreatic fistulae

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leakage at the pancreatico- jejunostomy remains a common and dreaded complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy. This study was to intro- duce a method for lowering the mortality, morbidity, and other postoperative complications after pancreaticoduode- nectomy. METHODS: From January 1991 to December 2001, twenty- six patients were treated using one-layer pancreaticojeju- nostomy. The mean age of these patients was 52.3 years. Some of these patients were complicated by hypoproteine- mia, anemia and jaundice. All patients were subjected to pancreaticoduodenectomy, reconstruction of the digestive tract by Child’ s method, and one-layer or Braun’ s anasto- mosis after pancreaticojejunostomy, choledochojejunosto- my, and gastrojejunostomy. RESULT: No death and pancreatic fistula were observed af- ter operation. CONCLUSION: One-layer pancreaticojejunostomy is sim- ple and safe.