RT Journal
A1 Martin F, Rossi RL, Munson J, ReMine SG, Braasch JW
T1 MAnagement of pancreatic fistulas
JF Archives of Surgery
JO Archives of Surgery
YR 1989
FD May 1
VO 124
IS 5
SP 571
OP 573
DO 10.1001/archsurg.1989.01410050061012
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.1989.01410050061012
AB • Conservative management of pancreatic fistulas resulting from trauma, operation for tumor, or operation for pancreatitis has met with variable success. To assess optimal management strategies and outcome, we reviewed the records of 35 patients with external pancreatic fistulas (26 patients), pancreatic ascites (6 patients), or pancreatic pleural effusion (3 patients). Treatment included no operation in 5 patients, oversewing of the fistula in 7 patients, internal drainage in 11 patients, and resection in 12 patients. One (3%) postoperative death occurred. The overall rate of operative success was 83% (25 patients). The incidence of recurrent fistulas was about the same regardless of the procedure. Patients treated successfully without operation did not have pancreatitis as an underlying disease. Patient selection is of great importance in the decision to resect or to drain and is based in part on imaging the pancreatic duct and fistula.(Arch Surg. 1989;124:571-573)