Retroperitoneal pancreas transplantation with a Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy for exocrine drainage.

Abstract

Background: Pancreatic transplantation is the only definitive surgical treatment for diabetes mellitus. Currently, most transplant centers use enteric exocrine drainage of pancreatic secretions; however, experts disagree on which part of the gastrointestinal tract is preferable for enteric anastomosis. We analyzed the outcomes of retroperitoneal pancreatic transplantation with enteric drainage of pancreatic secretions.

Materials and methods: We evaluated the outcomes of 60 simultaneous retroperitoneal pancreas-kidney transplantations. Based on the type of enteric anastomosis, the patients were divided into two groups: the study group consisted of 10 patients who underwent enteric drainage via Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy, and the control group included 50 patients who underwent exocrine drainage via duodenoduodenal anastomosis. No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of the main parameters.

Results: The rate of surgical complications did not differ significantly between the groups (p > 0.05). Clavien IVb complications occurred only in the control group (n = 4.8%). The in-hospital pancreatic graft survival rate in both groups was 80%, whereas the recipient survival rates were 90% and 84%, in the study and control groups, respectively (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Retroperitoneal pancreatic transplantation with exocrine drainage via a Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy is an effective alternative technique that reduces the rate of severe surgical complications.