Pancreatoduodenectomy with preservation of the stomach and pylorus: a safe and effective alternative in children.

The time-honored surgical approach to resectable tumors of the head of the pancreas or distal common bile duct has been a Whipple operation for adults and children. In recent years, pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy has been used for adults. The postoperative physiological advantages may be enhanced in children, and for this reason the pylorus-sparing approach was used in a 15-year-old girl with a tumor of the distal common duct. The pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy was safe and effective in this patient and should be considered for children with resectable tumors of the distal common bile duct and pancreatic head.