[Pancreaticogastrostomy: when and how?]

BACKGROUND: Pancreaticojejunostomy and pancreaticogastrostomy are the two techniques for pancreatic anastomosis that are widely established for the reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Pancreaticogastrostomy is the most recent and to date less frequently performed method, the history, techniques and indications of which are presented.

METHOD: Review of the literature and current evidence.

RESULTS: Current evidence from randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses does not demonstrate significant differences in complication rates or pancreatic function after pancreaticogastrostomy versus pancreaticojejunostomy.

CONCLUSION: Pancreaticogastrostomy is the technically less demanding procedure, offering at least the same level of safety as pancreaticojejunostomy. Minimally invasive and parenchyma-sparing procedures provide new areas of application for this anastomotic technique.