Preemptive wirsungostomy: a safe fistula for avoiding a dreadful fistula in elective or planned pancreatoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND

High-risk pancreatic anastomosis can lead to a high mortality rate after PD due to the development of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). Performing a wirsungostomy by externalizing the pancreatic duct is a poorly known alternative to anastomosis which could reduce the risk of POPF and the associated severe morbidity

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent primary wirsungostomy with PD from January 2007 to December 2021 in our tertiary referral center. Rates of morbidity and mortality with long-term pancreatic functions were studied.

RESULTS

Sixty patients were included. The median Updated Alternative Fistula Risk Score (ua-FRS) was 52%, with 95% patients in the high-risk ua-FRS category and 88.3% patients with stage D risk of developing POPF according to the classification of the ISGPS. The mortality rate was 3.3%, and overall 90-day postoperative morbidity was 63.7% with 50% of patients developing major complications. Mean follow-up was 29.8 months. Twelve patients (20%) became diabetic and 35 patients (58.3%) had preserved pancreatic endocrine function

CONCLUSION

Preemptive wirsungostomy with PD could be an appropriate procedure for patients with high-risk pancreatic anastomosis. The high associated morbidity could be compromised by the low mortality and preservation of endocrine function compared to total pancreatectomy or severe POPF.