Question of the day: Which option is not a reported common complication of pancreaticoduodenectomy?

Question:

Which option is not a reported common complication of pancreaticoduodenectomy?

	1. Early gastric emptying
	2. Anastomotic leakage
	3. Pancreatic fistulas
	4. Intra-abdominal abscess
	5. Gastrointestinal or intra-abdominal hemorrhage

Answer:

The correct answer for the question "Which option is not a reported common complication of pancreaticoduodenectomy?" is:

1. Early gastric emptying

Explanation
1. Delayed, not early gastric emptying is a common complication of a pancreaticoduodenectomy. [Common complications of a pancreaticoduodenectomy include: delayed gastric emptying, anastomotic leakage, pancreatic fistulas, intra-abdominal abscess and gastrointestinal or intra-abdominal hemorrhage].

2. Anastamotic leaks are common complications of a pancreaticoduodenectomy.

3. Pancreatic fistulas are common complications of a pancreaticoduodenectomy.

4. Intra-abdominal abscesses are common complications of a pancreaticoduodenectomy.

5. Gastrointestinal or intra-abdominal hemorrhage is a common complication of a pancreaticoduodenectomy.

From the manuscript:
Post-Pancreaticoduodenectomy Hemorrhage of Unusual Origin: Treatment with Endovascular Embolization and the value of preoperative CT Angiography
Radiology Case. 2013 Apr; 7(4):29-36

This article belongs to the Interventional section.

From the manuscript

Post-Pancreaticoduodenectomy Hemorrhage of Unusual Origin: Treatment with Endovascular Embolization and the value of preoperative CT Angiography

Free full text article: Post-Pancreaticoduodenectomy Hemorrhage of Unusual Origin: Treatment with Endovascular Embolization and the value of preoperative CT Angiography

Abstract
Post-pancreaticoduodenectomy hemorrhage is a life threatening complication reported to occur in 2-7% of patients. Historically, treatment required an exploratory laparotomy. Introduction of endovascular embolization has broadened the available treatment options. The most common location for a post-pancreaticoduodenectomy hemorrhage is the gastroduodenal artery stump. Nonetheless, unusual sources of hemorrhage exist and are hard to localize, thus they are often treated with open surgery. Here we report two cases of CTA proven hemorrhage from the dorsal pancreatic arcade and transverse pancreatic artery, which were successfully located with conventional angiography and treated with endovascular arterial coil embolization. Both patients were status post-pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure) and presented with a sentinel bleed and a drop in hematocrit levels.

References

1. Wente MN, Veit JA, Bassi C. Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH): an International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) definition. Surgery 2007; 142:20-25