The effectiveness of Hemopatch™ in preventing postoperative distal pancreatectomy fistulas

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Postoperative fistula after distal pancreatectomy (DP) is still a significant complication, although many tools and tips have been utilized to try to reduce its elevated frequency. This paper focuses on the role of a sealing hemostatic device, Hemopatch™, to prevent postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after DP.

Methods: Retrospectively we divided our sampling of 57 patients submitted to DP into two groups according to the availability of the device: 18 patients without Hemopatch™ and 39 patients using Hemopatch™.

Results: Significant difference was observed in leak occurrence (p < 0.05). No significant association was observed between the number of blood transfusions, the frequency of postoperative complications, associated splenectomy and POPF.

Conclusion: This is a preliminary study and the first focused on the prevention of POPF after DP using Hemopatch™. Thanks to its double function of hemostasis and sealant, Hemopatch™ can be taken into consideration as an efficacy tool to prevent pancreatic POPF.

KEYWORDS:

• Pancreatic fistula
• distal pancreatectomy
• hemopatch
• pancreatic surgery
• postoperative fistula

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Author contributions

A Pisapia: drafting of the manuscript, data analysis, and interpretation, literature analysis. E Crolla: data interpretation, revising the manuscript. M Saracco: study concept, preparation of the manuscript. A Saglioccolo: data collection, literature research. P Dolce: statistical analysis of the data. C Molino: study concept, data interpretation. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.