Early intestinal complications following pancreas transplantation: lessons learned from over 300 cases – a retrospective single‐center study

Enteric complications remain a major cause of morbidity in the post‐transplant period of pancreas transplantation despite improvements surgical technique. The aim of this single‐center study was to analyze retrospectively the early intestinal complications and their potential relation with vascular events. From 2000 to 2016, 337 pancreas transplants were performed with systemic venous drainage. For exocrine secretion, intestinal drainage was done with hand‐sewn anastomosis duodenojejunostomy. Twenty‐three patients (6.8%) had early intestinal complications. Median age was 39 years (male: 65.2%). Median cold ischemia time was 11 h [IQR: 9–12.4]. Intestinal complications were intestinal obstruction (n = 7); paralytic ileus (n = 5); intestinal fistula without anastomotic dehiscence (n = 3); ischemic graft duodenum (n = 3); dehiscence of duodenojejunostomy (n = 4); and anastomotic dehiscence in jejunum after pancreas transplantectomy (n = 1). Eighteen cases required relaparotomy: adhesiolysis (n = 6); repeated laparotomy without findings (n = 1); transplantectomy (n = 6); primary leak closure (n = 3); re‐positioning of the graft (n = 1); and intestinal resection (n = 1). Of the intestinal complications, 4 were associated with vascular thrombosis, resulting in two pancreatic graft losses. Enteric drainage with duodenum–jejunum anastomosis is safe and feasible, with a low rate of intra‐abdominal complications. Vascular thrombosis associated with intestinal complications presents a risk factor for the viability of pancreatic grafts, so prevention and early detection is vital.