Isolated Roux Loop Versus Conventional Pancreaticojejunostomy Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Pancreaticoduodenectomy is a commonly applied operation for the treatment of benign and malignant diseases of periampullary region. Although recent progress in surgical techniques and medical care reduced the mortality rate of this operation below 5% in some institutes, the morbidity rate still remains high as 40-50% (1,2). Pancreatic anastomotic leaks and fistulas continue to be the main source of morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Although there are several recommended techniques to reduce the rate of pancreatic fistulas, optimal pancreatic reconstruction technique is still controversial (3-5). One of the recommended techniques for pancreatic reconstruction is isolated Roux loop pancreaticojejunostomy (6). With this method, as pancreatic anastomosis is kept away from biliary and gastric anastomoses, activation of the pancreatic enzyme precursors is blocked and in this way a reduction in the rate and severity of pancreatic fistula and also in the overall morbidity and mortality can be achieved (6-8).

In this study, it is aimed to examine if isolated Roux loop pancreaticojejunostomy is superior to conventional pancreaticojejunostomy on postoperative outcomes.