The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

External pancreatic duct stent decreases pancreatic fistula rate after pancreaticoduodenectomy: prospective multicenter randomized trial. Ann Surg 2011; 253: 879–885.

Published: 7th July 2011

Authors: Pessaux P, Sauvanet A, Mariette C, Paye F, Muscari F, Cunha AS et al. et al.

Conclusion

Some 185 patients were randomly allocated external stent drainage to obviate pancreatic fistula, or no stent. The stent had no effect on mortality (3.7 vs. 3.9 per cent, respectively) or duration of hospital stay (22 vs. 26 days, P=0.11). It did reduce the overall morbidity (41.5 vs. 61.7 per cent, P=0.01), but did not affect the need for surgical or radiological treatment for pancreatic fistula.

Pubmed Link