The pancreaticobiliary system is a complex and vulnerable anatomic region. Small changes can lead to severe complications. Pancreaticobiliary disorders leading to severe complications include malignancies, pancreatitis, duodenal ulcer, duodenal diverticula, vascular malformations, and iatrogenic or traumatic injuries. Different therapeutic strategies, such as conservative, interventional (e.g., embolization, stent graft applications, or biliary interventions), or surgical therapy, are available in early disease stages. Therapeutic options in patients with severe complications such as duodenal perforation, acute bleeding, or sepsis are limited. If less invasive procedures are exhausted, an emergency pancreaticoduodenectomy (EPD) can be the only option left. The aim of this study was to analyze a single-center experience of EPD performed for benign non-trauma indications and to review the literature concerning EPD. Between January 2015 and January 2022, 11 patients received EPD due to benign non-trauma indications at our institution. Data were analyzed regarding sex, age, indication, operative parameters, length of hospital stay, postoperative morbidity, and mortality. Furthermore, we performed a literature survey using the PubMed database and reviewed reported cases of EPD. Eleven EPD cases due to benign non-trauma indications were analyzed. Indications included peptic duodenal ulcer with penetration into the hepatopancreatic duct and the pancreas, duodenal ulcer with acute uncontrollable bleeding, and penetration into the pancreas, and a massive perforated duodenal diverticulum with peritonitis and sepsis. The mean operative time was 369 min, and the median length of hospital stay was 35.8 days. Postoperative complications occurred in 4 out of 11 patients (36.4%). Total 90-day postoperative mortality was 9.1% (1 patient). We reviewed 17 studies and 22 case reports revealing 269 cases of EPD. Only 20 cases of EPD performed for benign non-trauma indications are reported in the literature. EPD performed for benign non-trauma indications remains a rare event, with only 31 reported cases. The data analysis of all available cases from the literature revealed an increased postoperative mortality rate of 25.8%. If less invasive approaches are exhausted, EPD is still a life-saving procedure with acceptable results. Performed by surgeons with a high level of experience in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, mortality rates below 10% can be achieved.
Keywords: acute bleeding; duodenal ulcer; emergency; pancreas; pancreatic surgery; pancreaticoduodenectomy; perforation; whipple procedure.