Results of Braun Entero-Enterostomy for Suspected Afferent Loop Syndrome in Patients Who Had a Whipple for Chronic Pancreatic Pain
Michael Lalla*, Maurice E. Arregui
Surgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, Indianapolis, IN
Introduction:Patients suffering from chronic pancreatic pain may undergo a Whipple procedure to help relieve their pain. However, after months or years of relief, some develop symptoms of nausea, vomiting and recurrent abdominal pain. We present a retrospective review of patients who had a Whipple for chronic pancreatic pain who developed clinical symptoms suspicious for afferent loop syndrome and their outcomes after a Braun entero-enterostomy. Methods:We reviewed our patient database over the last 5 years and identified patients who underwent a Whipple for chronic pancreatic pain. 16 patients were identified and 7 had suspected afferent loop syndrome based on their clinical symptoms, labs, and multiple imaging modalities including 2-hour quantitative HIDA scans. 5 underwent a Braun entero-enterostomy 3 to 7 years out from their Whipple procedure (4 had a pylorus sparing Whipple and one a Whipple with a distal gastrectomy and Billroth II anastomosis). 4 of the Braun entero-enterostomies were done with laparoscopy. The fifth had an open Puestow type revision of the pancreatico-jejunostomy along with a Braun entero-enterostomy. 4 reported an improvement- 3 with a Braun entero-enterostomy and one with a Braun combined with a Puestow. One patient did not have any improvement. This patient had a standard Whipple with gastrectomy and Billroth II.Results:The table represents the subjective classification of the intensity of the patient’s symptoms before and after Braun entero-enterostomy. With the exception of patient E, all patients described some measure of improvement in their symptoms. Conclusions:The development of nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain after a latency period in patients with pylorus sparing Whipple for chronic pain syndrome may be due to poor drainage of the afferent loop which may be relieved by diversion through a Braun entero-enterostomy.
Symptom comparison pre and post Braun entero-enterostomy
patient /symptom | Belching/ Bloating | Nausea | Vomiting | RUQ pain | LUQ pain | Epigastric Pain | Overall | |||||||
A | - | - | 9 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 8 | 0 |
B | 10 | 2 | 10 | 5 | - | - | 3 | 3 | - | - | - | - | 10 | 6 |
C | 4 | 0 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 7 |
D with Puestow | 6 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 4 |
E | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | no change |
Patients reported a subjective numerical value to their symptoms with 10 being severe and 0 resolved
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