The effect of preoperative biliary stenting on postoperative complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy.
BACKGROUND
Preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) in jaundiced patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy remains controversial.


METHODS
Patients presenting with obstructive jaundice who subsequently underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy from January 1996 to June 2002 were included in the study (n = 212). Patients with preoperative biliary stents (n = 154) were compared with patients without preoperative drainage (n = 58).


RESULTS
Patients in the stented group required a longer operative time (mean 6.8 hours versus 6.5 hours) and had greater intraoperative blood loss (mean 1207 mL versus 1122 mL) compared with the unstented group, (P = 0.046 and 0.018). No differences were found with respect to operative mortality (2%), incidence of pancreatic fistula (10% versus 14%), or intraabdominal abscess (7% versus 5%). Wound infection occurred more often in the stented group (8% versus 0%, P = 0.039).


CONCLUSIONS
PBD was associated with increased operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and incidence of wound infection. Although PBD did not increase major postoperative morbidity and mortality, it should be used selectively in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy.
Hodul
Pamela
P
Divisions of Surgical Oncology, Surgical Service Hines VA Hospital, Hines, IL, USA.
Creech
Steve
S
Pickleman
Jack
J
Aranha
Gerard V
GV
D000368:Aged; D001646:Bile; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D041781:Jaundice, Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016577:Pancreaticoduodenectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D015607:Stents; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors