Gastrointestinal bleeding after pancreatoduodenectomy: Report of four cases.

Background: Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage is one of the most severe and life-threatening complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy. We present four cases of gastrointestinal bleeding patients to clarify its appropriate treatment and prevention.

Case summary: The main symptoms included black stool, hematochezia, haematemesis, blood in the nasogastric tube, and hemorrhagic shock. The mean age was 66.25 years old and the median onset time was 340 d after the surgery. The bleeding location comprised gastrointestinal anastomosis, bile duct-jejunum anastomosis, and extraluminal bleeding. The possible causes included marginal ulcer, jejunal varix, and abdominal infection. Endoscopic hemostatic clips, as well as a covered stent using angiography, were utilized to stop the bleeding and three patients survived. Only one patient died of gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal bleeding, abdominal infection, hypovolemic shock, and disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Conclusion: Early and effective endoscopic intervention is the key to successful hemostasis in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding after pancreatoduodenectomy.