Preoperative. endoscopic pancreatic stenting for prophylaxis of pancreatic duct disruption during extirpation of a pancreatic head tumor

Background: Pancreatic fistula is a major problem in minimal invasive surgery of the pancreas. To prevent the disruption of the pancreatic duct, the surgeon must recognize the site of the pancreatic duct exactly. Methods: We reviewed the cases of 7 patients who underwent preoperative endoscopic pancreatic stenting for the prophylaxis of pancreatic fistula development after enucleation of a benign pancreatic head tumor. Results: Preoperative endoscopic pancreatic stenting was successfully performed in all 7 patients. The level of serum amylase increased to 1500 IU/L on postoperative day 1, but levels recovered to normal within 3 days. None of the patients developed a pancreatic fistula. Conclusions: Preoperative pancreatic duct stenting is a feasible, effective, and safe technique to prevent pancreatic duct disruption during enucleation of a benign tumor of the pancreatic head. (c) 2007 Excerpta Medica Inc. All rights reserved.