A comparison study of clinical outcomes of internal and external pancreatic duct stent following Whipple’s operation.
Keywords:
Pancreaticoduodenectomy, Internal pancreatic duct stent, External pancreatic duct stent, Postoperative pancreatic fistulaAbstract
This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes between internal stenting and external stenting of the pancreatic duct in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure). This retrospective cohort study evaluated 45 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary and pancreatic head tumors at Phranarai Maharaj Hospital between October 1, 2019, and September 30, 2024. Purposive sampling was used to categorize patients into two groups: internal stenting () and external stenting (). Data were collected using a researcher-developed case record form. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, the Chi-square test, the independent -test, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, with statistical significance set at .
Results: Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups. The overall mean age was years ( years in the internal stent group vs years in the external stent group, ). The most common comorbidities were hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Regarding surgical outcomes, the internal stent group had a significantly shorter mean operative time compared to the external stent group ( min vs min, ). No statistically significant differences were observed in mean blood loss ( mL vs mL, ) or overall incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) ( vs , ). Length of hospital stay tended to be shorter in the internal stent group, though not statistically significant ( days vs days, ).
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