title: A penrose drain to help reflect the resected "specimen side" jejunum beneath the mesenteric vessels during a pancreaticoduodenectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reflecting the resected portion of the proximal jejunum behind the mesenteric vessels during a pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple) procedure can be a challenging maneuver.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe a simple technique employing a penrose drain that is sutured to the resected "specimen" portion of the jejunum and then pulling it behind the mesenteric vessels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven patients underwent this procedure over a 2-month period without difficulties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This simple technique helps simplify one of the key maneuvers in performing a Whipple procedure.
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA. qchu@lsuhsc.edu
authors.forename: Quyen D
authors.initials: QD
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.forename: Hosein M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Shokouh-Amiri
authors.forename: Gazi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zibari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007583:Jejunum / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016577:Pancreaticoduodenectomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*