Braun enteroenterostomy during pancreaticoduodenectomy decreases postoperative delayed gastric emptying

Background: Modified digestive reconstruction during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) may affect the postoperative incidence of delayed gastric emptying (DGE). The purpose of this study is to investigate whether Braun enteroenterostomy following PD can reduce the incidence of DGE.

Methods: Four hundred seven patients who received PD with child reconstruction from June 2000 to March 2013 were divided into 2 groups: 206 patients with Braun enteroenterostomy (Child-Braun group) and 201 patients without Braun enteroenterostomy (Child-non-Braun group). Clinical data were retrospectively extracted; univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to investigate the association between Braun enteroenterostomy and DGE.

Results: DGE was less frequent in the Child-Braun group than in the Child-non-Braun group (6.7% vs. 26.87%, P < .001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Braun enteroenterostomy was the only significant independent factor associated with the reduced DGE after PD with Child reconstruction, with an odds ratio of 4.485 (95% confidence interval: 2.372 to 8.482, P < .001).

Conclusion: Braun enteroenterostomy reduces the incidence of postoperative DGE associated with PD.