Intraoperative Intraductal Ultrasonography of the Main Pancreatic Duct During Pancreatoduodenectomy: Technical Description of a Pilot Series

The intraoperative risk stratification during pancreatoduodenectomy is gaining increasing significance. The main pancreatic duct wall is of particular importance as it represents the element of anchor of the anastomotic stiches. This study aims to describe the safety, feasibility, and reproducibility of a novel intraductal ultrasonography of the main pancreatic (MPD)-Wirsung duct (IWU) during pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). A prospective series of 58 patients underwent PD with anastomosis between the MPD and the jejunum. Just before the reconstructive phase, the remaining pancreatic stump underwent complete IWU with definition of Wirsung thickness (WT) at the anastomotic site, using a radial ultrasound probe of 1.7 mm in diameter. No IWU-related complications were reported. The median WT of the MPD was 1.1 mm (SD 0.2). The rates of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), major morbidity, and mortality were 17, 5, and 0