Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple's procedure) is a formidable procedure when undertaken for severe pancreaticoduodenal injury. The purposes of this study were to review our experience with this procedure for trauma; to classify injury grades for both pancreatic and duodenal injuries in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma-Organ Injury Scale for pancreatic and duodenal injury; and to validate existing indications for performance of this procedure. ⋯ Complex pancreaticoduodenal injuries requiring pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple's procedure) are uncommon but highly lethal; virtually all are classified as AAST-OIS grade V for both pancreas and duodenum. Current indications for performance of pancreaticoduodenectomy are valid and should be strictly applied during procedure selection.
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The current approach to managing the distal pancreas after pancreaticoduodenectomy is to anastomose the stump to either the jejunum or stomach, but pancreatic ductal occlusion without anastomosis of the pancreatic remnant remains an option during difficult operative circumstances. This article describes some situations in which distal pancreatic ductal ligation may be of use and reviews the morbidity associated with this procedure. ⋯ The development of complications after ductal ligation appears to be associated with the degree of fibrosis of the residual distal gland. Acute pancreatitis and fistula are the major complications but are associated with a low mortality. Diabetes is a potential late problem. The morbidity associated with ductal ligation is generally accepted as being greater than anastomosis, but ligation can be considered as an alternative in difficult circumstances where anastomosis of the distal pancreatic stump is believed to be unwise.