Emergency pancreaticoduodenectomy: When is it needed? A dual non-trauma centre experience and literature review

• Pancreaticoduodenectomy is nowadays a standardized operation in high volume centers.
• Emergency pancreaticoduodenectomy is performed as life-saving procedure in selected patients.
• Emergency pancreaticoduodenectomy is indicated where a less demolitive approach is unavoidable.

IntroductionEmergency pancreaticoduodenectomy (EPD) has been very rarely reported in literature as a lifesaving procedure for complex pancreatic injury, uncontrollable hemorrhage from ulcers and tumors, descending duodenal perforations, and severe infection. The aim of this study was to analyze the experience of two non-trauma centers and to review the literature concerning emergency pancreaticoduodenectomy.MethodsFrom January 2005 to December 2014, from a population of 169 PD (92 females and 77 males; mean age: 61.3, range 23–81) 5 patients (3%; 2 females and 3 males; mean age: 57.8, range: 42–74) underwent EPD for non-traumatic disease performed at two Academic Units of the University of Bari.ResultsThe emergency pancreaticoduodenectomy subgroup of patients showed an overall morbidity of 80%, and mortality of 40%. In 80% (4/5) of patients treated by emergency pancreaticoduodenectomy, the pancreatic remnant was not reconstructed, and in 20% (1/5) a pancreaticojejunostomy was performed.ConclusionEmergency pancreaticoduodenectomy is an effective life-saving operation reservable to pancreatoduodenal trauma, perforations, and bleeding, unmanageable by a less invasive approach. It should be preferentially approached by surgeons with a high level of experience in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery and in trauma centers too, but it should also be in the armamentarium of general surgeons performing hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery.