Anastomotic leaks at the pancreaticojejunostomy following pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with pancreatic head adenocarcinoma increases the local recurrence rate

INTRODUCTION: In contrast to colorectal cancer patients, the effect of anastomosis leakage following pancreatic adenocarcinoma surgery on survival and recurrence rate is not clear. The present study aimed to determine the effect of pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) anastomosis leakage, especially on the local recurrence rate and time of recurrence, in patients that underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 64 pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients that underwent PD between January 2007 and August 2015. PJ anastomosis leakage was evaluated based on International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula criteria. The effects of PJ anastomosis leakage on local recurrence, disease-free survival, and overall survival were assessed. RESULTS: Among the patients, 44 were male and 20 were female, and median age was 61(39-84) years. In all, 11 patients developed PJ leakage. Local recurrence occurred in 5 (45,4%) of the patients that developed PJ leakage, versus in 4 (7,5%) of the patients without leakage (p=0.02). Local recurrence developed earlier in those with leakage than in those without (p=0,013). In contrast, there weren't any significant differences in disease-free survival, or overall survival. CONCLUSION: PJ leakage seems to be associated with more frequent and earlier local recurrence while it did not influence survival