Prospective Trial Evaluating the Effect of Closed Suction Drainage Versus Straight Drainage After Distal Pancreatectomy

Prospective Trial Evaluating the Effect of Closed Suction Drainage Versus Straight Drainage After Distal Pancreatectomy

Prospective Trial Evaluating the Effect of Closed Suction Drainage Versus Straight Drainage After Distal Pancreatectomy

A very common complication following distal pancreatectomy is leakage from the pancreas, or what is called a pancreatic fistula. We hypothesize that operative drains which create suction may contribute to the development of leakage from the pancreas. This study evaluates the effect of using non-suctioning drains to prevent the development of this complication.

The most common complication following distal pancreatectomy is the developement of leakage from the remaining pancreas gland, which results in significant morbidity. Most surgeons leave dains at the time of surgery to prevent complications from pancreatic leakage. However, we hypothesize that drains which create continous negative pressure may contribute to the development of a pancreatic fistula. This study randomizes patients to suctioning versus non-suctioning drains. The primary endpoint is the development of pancreatic fistuale, as defined by the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery.

This arm will be patients with glands felt to have a soft texture during surgery. This arm will receive either a suction drain or a gravity drain based on the note inside the sealed envelope.

This arm will include patients felt to have a hard gland tecture at the time of surgery. This arm will receive either a suction drain or a gravity drain based on the note inside the sealed envelope.

A closed suctioning drain will be placed at the time of surgery. Patients in both arm A and arm B will receive this intervention. The patients that receive this treatment will be the ones whose envelope, selected on the basis of the texture of the gland, contains a card labelled "suction drain"

A closed non-suctioning drain will be placed at the time of surgery. Patients in both arm A and arm B will receive this intervention. The patients that receive this treatment will be the ones whose envelope, selected on the basis of the texture of the gland, contains a card labelled "gravity drain"

The primary endpoint of the study is the developement of post-operative pancreatic fistula, as defined by the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery.

All morbidity, including length of hospital stay, need for enteral/parenteral nutrition, need for radiologic/surgical intervention, septic complications, and peri-operative mortality.

Inclusion Criteria: Patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy at Johns Hopkins Hospital Exclusion Criteria: Children <18 years old, pregnant women, adults lacking capacity to consent, non-english speakers, and prisoners.