Monitoring of patIents With Microdialysis Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Anastomotic leakage after pancreaticoduodenectomy is a feared complication with substantial mortality and morbidity. Treatment of a postoperative pancreatic fistula can be difficult and management may range from a simple observation with or without percutaneous drainage, to the urgent need for reoperation and management of abdominal sepsis with organ failure and prolonged intensive care. To diagnose a pancreatic fistula may have a delay of several days. The risk of death and severe morbidity raises considerable from a biochemical pancreatic fistula compared to the most serious form, a grade C. Also, the cost of managing a patient with a fistula is 1.3-6 times more than a patient with no complications after PD. Microdialysis is a promising tool in patients who undergoes pancreaticoduodenectomy for early detection of postoperative pancreatic fistula development. The technique may reveal an fistula before severe symptoms occur and before the complication gives the patient serious and life-threatening symptoms. Earlier intervention of the postoperative pancreatic fistula may lead to better prognosis, less reoperations and interventions and shorter stay at the ICU/hospital. By monitoring intraperitoneal metabolites (glycerol, lactate, pyruvate and glucose) close to the pancreaticojejunostomy, signs of a leakage may be discovered in few hours, thereby make it possible for early intervention and prevent developement of serious progression of morbidity. The investigators want to perform a randomized study where half of the patients will receive a microdialysis catheter implanted close to the pancreaticoduodenal anastomosis before closure of the abdomen. At certain timepoints postoperatively microdialysate will be analyzed for glycerol, lactate, pyruvate and glucose and the data will be used in the decisionmaking of diagnosing a pancreatic anastomosis leakage in addition to standard management. The other half of the patients will not receive a microdialysis catheter and the decisionmaking will only be based on standard management (ie. inflammation markers in blood samples, amylase in drainage fluid).