Background/aims: The aim of the present study is to ascertain the effect of a single layer continuous suture between pancreatic parenchyma and jejunum after duct-to-mucosa anastomosis in pancreaticoduodenectomy through a single surgeon's experiences.
Methodology: From March 1, 2002 to March 31, 2005, among 512 patients who had pancreaticoduodenectomy at Asan Medical Center, 56 patients who had a single layer continuous suture between pancreatic parenchyma and jejunum after duct-to-mucosa anastomosis were selected consecutively for prospective study.
Results: There were 44 pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, 10 pancreaticoduodenectomy, 2 hepatopancreaticoduodenectomy. No pancreatic leakage was reported. All three wound infections recovered after conservative treatment, and a gastric ulcer bleeding was resolved by suture-ligation through laparotomy. There was no mortality after surgery.
Conclusions: Although it is a report with low surgical volume, a single layer continuous suture between pancreatic parenchyma and jejunum after duct-to-mucosa anastomosis in pancreaticoduodenectomy is thought to be a good method to prevent the complications of pancreatic leakage using a tight close attachment of pancreas and jejunum.