Biodegradable internal stent versus no stent for patients at increased risk of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a single-center propensity score matching analysis

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is considered the main trigger for further dangerous sequelae following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). This study compared the short-term postoperative results of patients at increased risk of POPF undergoing pancreaticojejunal (PJ) anastomosis with and without internal biodegradable stent. Data from a prospectively collected database of patients undergoing PD at increased risk of POPF (ISGPS type B, C, D) between January 2017 and June 2023 were retrieved and analyzed, comparing the postoperative outcomes of those with and without an internal biodegradable stent, using a propensity score matching analysis. In the study period, 183 patients were selected. After matching, a total of 59 with stent (SG) and 59 without (NSG) were compared. The overall POPF rate was 21.2%. No difference was seen between the groups regarding POPF and other postoperative outcomes. A higher rate of biochemical leakage in the SG (53.1% vs 31.9%, p 0.033) was found among patients in the type D class of risk. The present study showed no significant difference in terms of 90-day overall, severe and pancreas-specific postoperative complications among patients at increased risk of POPF who received PJ anastomosis with and without internal biodegradable stent.