Two-stage trauma pancreaticoduodenectomy: Delay facilitates anastomotic reconstruction

A case of a gunshot wound to the head of the pancreas and superior mesenteric vein requiring pancreaticoduodenectomy ;is discussed. Managing such an injury is challenging, first because of the ongoing hemorrhage and second because of the technical difficulty in working with a normal pancreas and bile duct. Ln the case presented herein, enteric reconstruction was performed 72 hours after the initial surgery. A delay in reconstruction resulted in tissue changes that Facilitated enteric reconstruction. A two-stage pancreaticoduodenectomy may be considered if the surgeon is faced with an unstable patient.