Pancreas sparing duodenectomy as an emergency procedure.
BACKGROUND
The operative techniques to close extensive wounds to the duodenum are well described. However, postoperative morbidity is common and includes suture line leak and the formation of fistulae. The aim of this case series is to present pancreas sparing duodenectomy as a safe and viable alternative procedure in the emergency milieu.


METHODS
Five patients underwent emergency pancreas sparing duodenal excisions. Re-implantation of the papilla of Vater or the papilla with a surrounding mucosal patch was performed in two patients. In one, the procedure was further supplemented with a duodenocholangiostomy, stapled pyloric exclusion and enterogastrostomy to defunction the pylorus. In another three patients, distal duodenal excisions were done.


RESULTS
In four patients, an uneventful recovery was made. One patient died following a myocardial infarction. The surgery lasted meanly 160 minutes with average blood loss of approximately 500 milliliters. The mean hospital stay was 12 days. Enteral nutrition was introduced within the 20 hours after the surgery. Long term follow-up of all surviving patients confirmed a good outcome and normal nutritional status.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the presented series of patients, we suggest that pancreas-sparing duodenectomy can be considered in selected patients with laceration of the duodenum deemed unsuitable for surgical reconstruction.
Paluszkiewicz
Piotr
P
Department of Surgery and Surgical Nursing, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
Dudek
Wojciech
W
Department of Surgery, Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, Lincolnshire, UK.
Lowery
Kathryn
K
Department of Surgery, Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, Lincolnshire, UK.
Hart
Colin A
CA
Department of Surgery, Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, Lincolnshire, UK.