[Prevention of pancreatic fistula in pancreaticoduodenectomy: cannulation of the pancreatic duct].

Fifty-two patients with malignant tumours underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy in the past 13 years. A plastic catheter, 3 mm in diameter and 40 cm in length, was used for pancreatic duct drainage and stent, with one end of it inserted into the pancreatic duct and the other end in the jejunal lumen. The cannulation was found to be very effective in stenting the stump pancreatic duct and draining the pancreatic juice away from the anastomotic stoma, hence preventing postoperative leakage. Temporary postoperative fistula occurred in only one patient, and operative death was noted.