Does the Type of Drain Influence the Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula Rate After Pancreatic Resection?

Pancreatic resection is the only potentially curative modality of treatment for pancreatic neoplasm. The mortality associated with this procedure decreased rapidly in the past decades. However, the morbidity associated with pancreatic resection remains high. The main reason for postoperative morbidity is postoperative pancreatic fistula, which is regarded as the most ominous complication following pancreatic resection. Its reported incidence varies in the surgical literature from 10% to >30%.

Recently published studies showed that the placement of intraoperative drains, manipulation with the drains, timing of removal of the drain, and especially the type of drain, have significant effect on the postoperative complications, and especially POPF.

Even though several trials showed that the routine use of intraoperatively placed drains in elective pancreatectomy does not reduce postoperative morbidity, most of the high-volume pancreatic surgery centers still place the drains routinely. The theoretical advantage of drainage is to identify an early bile or pancreatic leak, or postoperative hemorrhage; and therefore allow for early treatment of the complication; or in some cases, the drain would control the leak without necessity of reintervention.

Two large studies compared early versus late removal of the intraoperatively placed drains. The first published by Kawai et al. was a cohort study, including 104 patients. The second one published by Bassi et al. was prospective randomized trial including 114 patients. Both studies clearly showed that the group of patients with early drain removal has superior results, lower rate of POPF and lower morbidity.

Controversy exists regarding the type of intraoperatively placed drain. The surgeons in the USA usually use the closed suction drainage system. On the other hand, European and Asian surgeons usually prefer open Penrose system, closed gravity drainage, or a combination of both. The closed suction drainage system uses slight under pressure to drain the fluid from the abdominal cavity. It is more effective than other systems, and thus advantageous. However, some surgeons claim that the suction system can actively suck the pancreatic juice through the anastomosis or suture and thus promote the development of POPF.