Functional and morphological changes in the pancreatic remnant following pancreaticoduodenectomy with pancreaticogastric anastomosis

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Abstract
Background: The aim was to evaluate pancreatic exocrine and endocrine function, pancreatic atrophy and main pancreatic duct dilatation in the pancreatic remnant following pancreaticoduodenectomy and pancreaticogastrostomy. Methods: Nineteen patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy and pancreaticogastrostomy for benign or malignant pancreatic tumours with a histologically normal pancreatic resection margin were studied prospectively. The median interval between operation and evaluation was 32 (range 12–120) months. Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency was assessed by measuring 72-h faecal fat concentrations and faecal-1 elastase. Fasting blood glucose, haemoglobin A1c, serum peptide C and insulin levels were used to assess endocrine function. Pancreatic parenchymal thickness and main pancreatic duct diameter were measured before operation and at evaluation using computed tomography (CT). Results: Faecal fat excretion was raised in 16 of 17 patients; faecal-1 elastase was reduced in all 17 patients. None of the 17 non-diabetic patients had developed diabetes mellitus at follow-up. A significant decrease in pancreatic parenchymal thickness and increased dilatation of the main pancreatic duct were observed on CT at evaluation (P = 0·01 and P = 0·01 respectively). Pancreatic atrophy, assessed by subtracting the diameter of the pancreatic duct from the total gland thickness, tended to develop over time, but at the limit of statistical significance (P = 0·06). Conclusion: A median of 3 years following pancreaticoduodenectomy and pancreaticogastrostomy, patients remained free from diabetes but developed marked pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.