Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Does preoperative biliary drainage, method of pancreatic reconstruction or age influence perioperative outcome? A retrospective study of 104 consecutive cases

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Whether preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) is beneficial in reducing complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy is controversial. There remains a reluctance to consider pancreaticoduodenectomy in older patients. The major source of morbidity and potential mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy is pancreatic fistula, which is caused by difficulties associated with the pancreatic anastomosis. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of PBD, patient age and method of pancreatico-enteric reconstruction on postoperative morbidity and mortality. METHODS: A total of 104 consecutive patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy between November 1992 and November 2004 were ide..