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. 2023 Sep 2;408(1):348.
doi: 10.1007/s00423-023-03070-5.

Continuous irrigation after pancreatectomy: a systematic review

Ilaria Pergolini  1   2   3 , Florian Scheufele  1   2   3 , Elke Demir  1   2   3 , Stephan Schorn  1   2   3 , Helmut Friess  1   2   3 , Güralp O Ceyhan  4 , Ihsan Ekin Demir  5   6   7   8   9
Affiliations

Continuous irrigation after pancreatectomy: a systematic review

Ilaria Pergolini et al. Langenbecks Arch Surg. .

Abstract

Purpose: Prevention and management of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreatic resections is still an unresolved issue. Continuous irrigation of the peripancreatic area is frequently used to treat necrotizing pancreatitis, but its use after elective pancreatic surgery is not well-known. With this systematic review, we sought to evaluate the current knowledge and expertise regarding the use of continuous irrigation in the surgical area to prevent or treat POPF after elective pancreatic resections.

Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, screening the databases of Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Ovid MEDLINE. Because of the heterogeneity of the included articles, a statistical inference could not be performed and the literature was reviewed only descriptively. The study was pre-registered online (OSF Registry).

Results: Nine studies were included. Three studies provided data regarding the prophylactic use of continuous irrigation after distal and limited pancreatectomies. Here, patients after irrigation showed a lower rate of clinically relevant POPF, related complications, lengths of stay, and mortality. Six other papers reported the use of local lavage to treat clinically relevant POPF and subsequent fluid collections, with successful outcomes.

Conclusion: In the current literature, only a few publications are focused on the use of continuous irrigation after pancreatic resection to prevent or manage POPF. The included studies showed promising results, and this technique may be useful in patients at high risk of POPF. Further investigations and randomized trials are needed.

Keywords: Continuous irrigation; Pancreatic fistula; Pancreatic surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart according to the PRISMA guidelines 2020 showing the study selection
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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