Background: To clarify whether double-volume peritoneal lavage can decrease the risk of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy.
Materials and methods: Forty-nine patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy and intraoperative peritoneal lavage using 6000 mL of saline before abdominal closure were studied retrospectively. Bacterial cultures of the lavage fluid were taken twice, after irrigation using 3000 mL of saline and then after an additional 3000 mL of saline. Bacterial culture of the drainage fluid was taken on day 1, and the relationship between the results of bacterial cultures and clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula was examined.
Results: Double amount of peritoneal lavage significantly decreased the incidence of positive bacterial cultures than single amount of peritoneal lavage (45% vs. 29%, P < .05). Multivariate analysis showed that positive bacterial culture of drainage fluid on day 1 and main pancreatic duct size (<3 mm) were independent risk factors for clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula. A positive bacterial culture of the final lavage fluid and preoperative biliary drainage were independent factors related to a positive bacterial culture on day 1.
Discussion: A positive bacterial culture on day 1 is an independent risk factor for clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula during pancreaticoduodenectomy. Double-volume intraperitoneal lavage may be effective for reducing the incidence of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula.