Abstract

ABSTRACT: During the ten-year period from 1967 to 1977, 50 cases of pancreatic trauma were reviewed. There were 40 gunshot wounds, six stab wounds, and four cases of blunt abdominal trauma. Ten of the patients died, a mortality of 20%. The overall complication rate was 57%, but only 27% had complications attributable to the pancreatic injury. As has been reported by most authors, there is a high incidence of associated injuries. In our series only one patient had isolated pancreatic injury, while 30% had a major vascular injury, and the mortality for this group was 50%. Several methods of treatment were used, but the majority (36 patients) had drainage alone. The others had either resection (five) or Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy (five). Of particular interest were results of treatment of severe injuries to the head of the pancreas. Early in the series two patients were treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy and both died within 24 hours. During the last year we have treated five similar injuries using a Puestow type of Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy, with one death and no pancreatic complications. At present we advocate sump tube drainage for most injuries but rely on a Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy for severe injury to the head of the pancreas rather than resection.