Management of delayed arterial hemorrhage after pancreaticoduodenectomy. A case series.

UNLABELLED: CONTEXT Delayed arterial hemorrhage is a rare complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy (frequency 2-4%) but carries a high mortality, with up to a third of patients dying as a consequence. Its ideal management remains unclear.

CASE SERIES: Between 1993 and 2007, 317 head of pancreas resections were performed at our institution; there were 5 cases of delayed arterial hemorrhage (frequency 1.6%).

CONCLUSION

This paper presents our experience in the management of delayed arterial haemorrhage post pancreaticoduodenecomy and discusses the role of angiograms, endoscopy and laparotomy in its management.