The postsurgical pancreas.

Background:  Partial pancreatic resections are among the most complex surgical procedures in visceral tumor medicine and are associated with a high postoperative morbidity with a complication rate of 40-50 % of patients even in specialized centers.

Methods:  Description of typical surgical resection procedures and the resulting postoperative anatomy, typical normal postoperative findings, common postoperative complications, and radiological findings.

Results and conclusion:  CT is the most appropriate imaging technique for rapid and standardized visualization of postoperative anatomy and detection of clinically suspected complications after partial pancreatic resections. The most common complications are delayed gastric emptying, pancreatic fistula, acute pancreatitis, bile leakage, abscess, and hemorrhage. Radiologists must identify the typical surgical procedures, the postoperative anatomy, and normal postoperative findings as well as possible postoperative complications and know interventional treatment methods for common complications.

Key points:   · Morbidity after pancreatic surgery remains high.. · CT is the best method for visualizing postoperative anatomy and is used for early detection of complications.. · Pancreatic fistula is the most common relevant complication after pancreatic resection.. · The ability of a center to manage complications is crucial to ensure the success of therapy..

Citation format: · Fischbach R, Peller M, Perez D et al. The postsurgical pancreas. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2024; 196: 1037 - 1045.