The difficult hepaticojejunostomy after pancreatic head resection: reconstruction with a T tube.

BACKGROUND: After pancreatic head resection, bile leaks from a difficult hepaticojejunostomy secondary to a small or fragile common hepatic duct may be reduced by a T tube at the side of the anastomosis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent a difficult hepaticojejunostomy without or with a T tube was performed. RESULTS: In 48%(55/114) of patients, a T tube was placed at the side of the hepaticojejunostomy; 52% (59/114) did not have a T tube. Bile leaks occurred in 12% (14/114) (9%[5/55] in patients with a T tube vs 15%[9/59] without a T tube, P = .316). Bile leaks were associated with mortality, abscess formation, hemorrhage, and sepsis. Seven percent (8/114) of patients required revisional laparotomy (2% [1/55] with a T tube vs 12% [7/59] without a T tube, P = .036). Mortality was not different between the groups. Minor T-tube-associated complications occurred in 15% (8/55) without major complications. CONCLUSIONS: Augmentation of anastomosis with a T tube cannot prevent biliary leakage but does reduce the severity of bile leaks, resulting in less reoperations. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.