Treatment of massive pancreaticojejunal anastomotic hemorrhage after pancreatoduodenectomy

AIM: To compare the treatment modalities for patients with massive pancreaticojejunal anastomotic hemorrhage after pancreatoduodenectomy (PDT). METHODS: A retrospective study was undertaken to compare the outcomes of two major treatment modalities: transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) and open surgical hemostasis. Seventeen patients with acute massive hemorrhage after PDT were recruited in this study. A comparison of two treatment modalities was based upon the clinicopathological characteristics and hospitalization stay, complications, and patient prognosis of the patients after surgery. RESULTS: Of the 11 patients with massive hemorrhage after PDT treated with TAE, one died after discontinuing treatment, the other 10 stopped bleeding completely without recurrence of hemorrhage. All the 10 patients recovered well and were discharged, with a mean hospital stay of 10.45 d after hemostasis. The patients who underwent TAE had a re-operation rate of 18.2% and a mortality rate of 9.1%. Among the six patients who received open surgical hemostasis, two underwent another round of open surgical hemostasis. The mortality was 50%, and the recurrence of hemorrhage was 16.67%, with a mean hospital stay of 39.5 d. CONCLUSION: TAE is a safe and effective treatment modality for patients with acute hemorrhage after PDT. Vasography should be performed to locate the bleeding site.