Omental Flap Technique in Pancreaticojejunostomy: Does it Prevent Pancreatic Fistula Development after Pancreaticoduodenectomy?

Aim: The aim of our study was to investigate the clinical results of omental flap application during pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) anastomosis in pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) surgeries.

Methods: The data of patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy in our hospital were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups; patients with an omental flap (Group 1) and those without an omental flap (Group 2). The demographic and other characteristics of the groups and the incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) development were compared.

Results: One hundred patients were included (39 females, 61 males) Group 1 consisted of 20 patients with omental flaps and Group 2 consisted of 80 patients without omental flaps. While no clinically significant (Grade B and C) leaks were observed in Group 1, both biochemical and clinically significant leak rates were lower in Group 1 compared to 4 patients (5%) in Group 2. There was no statistically significant difference compared with Group 2 (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: Although not statistically significant in this study, postoperative complication rates and the incidence of POPF tended to decrease in patients who underwent omental flaps.