A simple and safe pancreas transection using a stapling device for a distal pancreatectomy

Pancreatic fistula is the most common major complication to occur after distal pancreatectomy, ranging in frequency from 5% to 40%. The appropriate technique for treating the pancreatic stump still remains controversial. Thirty-six patients underwent distal pancreatectomy in Kagawa University Hospital between January 2000 and February 2007. Their hospital records were reviewed to evaluate the usefulness of a stapling closure using several types of staplers in comparison to a suture closure. They were subdivided according to the method used to close the pancreas stump: the suture group comprised 11 patients, the staple group comprised 24 patients, including 7 patients for whom was used the new endopath stapler Echelon 60 (Ethicon Endo-surgery; Johnson & Johnson, Cincinnati, OH, USA). Overall pancreatic fistula rate was 17% (6/36) in this series. In the staple group, 3 of the 24 patients (12%) developed a pancreatic fistula, whereas in the suture group, 3 of 11 patients (27%) developed a pancreatic fistula. Of the 7 patients for whom the Echelon 60 was used, none developed a pancreatic fistula. The length of postoperative hospital stay was also significantly shorter for the patients with the Echelon 60 than in the patients either with sutures or another stapling device. These findings support the advantages of using a stapler closure in distal pancreatectomy. This method, using a new stapler device, is considered to be a simple and safe alternative to the standard suture closure technique.