Treatment strategies to prevent or mitigate the outcome of postpancreatectomy hemorrhage: a review of randomized trials

Background: Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) is a leading cause for surgical mortality after pancreatic surgery. Several strategies for the prevention and management of PPH have been studied in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) but a systematic review is lacking. The authors systematically reviewed RCTs regarding the impact of treatment strategies on the incidence and outcome of PPH.

Material and methods: Eligible RCTs reporting on impact of treatment on the rate of PPH were identified through a systematic literature search using the Evidence Map of Pancreatic Surgery (2012-2022). Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB-2) tool for RCTs. Various definitions of PPH were accepted and outcome reported separately for the International Study Group for Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) definition.

Results: Overall, 99 RCTs fulfilled the eligibility criteria with a pooled 6.1% rate of PPH (range 1-32%). The pooled rate of PPH defined as ISGPS grade B/C was 8.1% (range 0-24.9%). Five RCTs reported five strategies that significantly reduced the rate of PPH. Three concerned surgical technique: pancreatic anastomosis with small jejunal incision, falciform ligament wrap around the gastroduodenal artery stump, and pancreaticojejunostomy (vs pancreaticogastrostomy). Two concerned perioperative management: perioperative pasireotide administration, and algorithm-based postoperative patient management. No single RCT specifically focused on the treatment of patients with PPH.

Conclusion: This systematic review of RCTs identified five strategies which reduce the rate of PPH; three concerning intraoperative surgical technique and two concerning perioperative patient management. Future studies should focus on the treatment of patients with PPH as RCTs are currently lacking.