The using of sealants in pancreatic surgery: A Systematic Review

Background: POPF derives from the pancreatic stump, which follows pancreatic resection and the pancreatoenteric anastomosis following pancreaticoduodenectomy. Since 1978 sealants have been used in pancreatic surgery to prevent pancreatic fistula after resection of the pancreatic head and tail or for the management of trauma and the treatment of low-output pancreatic fistula. Different types of fibrin sealants have been evaluated for their potential to reduce the occurrence of POPF. Methods: A systematic search of the electronic literature was performed using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases to obtain access to all publications, especially clinical trials, randomised controlled trials, and systematic reviews concerning fibrin sealants pancreatic surgery. Searching for fibrin sealants pancreas, we found a total of 73 results on Pubmed, 61 on Scopus, and 14 on Cochrane Library (148 total results). Results: Eighteen studies were found on literature, following the criteria already described, concerning the use of fibrin sealants in pancreatic surgery. All articles described were published in the period between 1989 and 2019. Most of these were single centre studies. A total of 1032 patients were enrolled in this review. In the studies, sealants were used to reinforce pancreatic anastomoses and for the occlusion of the main pancreatic duct. Conclusion: CR-POPF is a fearful complication of pancreatic surgery; among the possible solutions to reduce the risk of onset, sealants were used on the pancreatic stump; today the sealants should be considered such as an option to reduce the CR-POPF, but the routine use in clinical practice has to be validated.

Automated summary

POPF is a feared complication of pancreatic surgery, and sealants have been used as an option to reduce its occurrence. However, the routine use of sealants in clinical practice still needs validation.