Background: The optimal method of palliation for patients with unresectable pancreatic and peri-ampullary cancer (PAC) is controversial with surgical bypass or endoscopic stenting, each having advantages and disadvantages.
Aims: We analysed short term outcomes and survival for all patients undergoing surgical palliative bypass procedures.
Materials and methods: All patients undergoing palliative surgical bypass for unresectable PAC from Aug 1999 to July 2007 were identified from our database. Outcomes analysed were peri-operative morbidity, mortality, and overall survival with comparisons from contemporaneous literature.
Results: One hundred eight patients (median age 65 (range 36-86) years; male = 61) had palliative surgical bypass procedures for unresectable PAC. Patients underwent combined biliary and gastric bypass (n = 81, 75%), gastric bypass alone (n = 24, 22.2%) or biliary bypass alone (n = 3, 2.8%). Overall mortality was 6.5% and the morbidity was 15.7%. Median hospital stay was 11 (range 4-54) days. Median survival was 6 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.3-7.6) months. No re-explorations for recurrent biliary or gastric obstruction were required. Contemporaneous literature review showed similar results.
Conclusion: Surgical bypass performed in a specialist pancreatic center can offer effective palliation for unresectable PAC, with satisfactory outcomes.